Scottish Commission for Human Rights Act 2006

2 General duty to promote human rights S

(1) The Commission's general duty is, through the exercise of its functions under this Act, to promote human rights and, in particular, to encourage best practice in relation to human rights.

(2) In this Act, “human rights” means—

(a) the Convention rights within the meaning of section 1 of the Human Rights Act 1998 (c. 42), and

(b) other human rights contained in any international convention, treaty or other international instrument ratified by the United Kingdom.

(3) In this section, “promote”, in relation to human rights, means promote awareness and understanding of, and respect for, those rights.

(4) In deciding what action to take under this Act in pursuance of its general duty, the Commission must have regard, in particular, to the importance of exercising its functions under this Act in relation to—

(a) the Convention rights, and

(b) human rights of those groups in society whose human rights are not, in the Commission's opinion, otherwise being sufficiently promoted.