Consultation Paper: Proposals to amend the legislation on religious observance and religious education in schools to support alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

5. Scotland, as part of the UK, is a signatory of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (“UNCRC”), which was recently incorporated into Scots Law by the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024. The current legislation on RO and RME raises questions in connection with the Scottish Government’s obligations under the UNCRC – namely, article 12 of the UNCRC, which gives children the right to have their views considered in matters which affect them, with due weight being given in accordance with the age and maturity of the child. It also raises questions in relation to article 14, which details the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.