The Committee was established in June 2021. It focuses on:
Details of the next meeting are not available yet.
The Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee usually meets weekly on Tuesdays.
The Committee considers its work programme regularly to maintain a rolling programme of business. The Committee's planned business is noted below.  Please note that it is subject to change.
For further details or questions, please contact the Clerks to the Committee on [email protected]
Legislation currently under consideration
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: The Committee concluded holding evidence sessions and published its Stage 1 report on 19 November 2025. The Stage 1 Debate was held in the Chamber on Tuesday 25 November. The Committee will consider the Bill at Stage 2 at its meeting on Tuesday 16 December.
Commissioner for Older People (Scotland) Bill: The Committee issued a call for views on the Bill and has agreed to do nothing further on the Bill at this time.
Inquiries
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Parenting Across Scotland: Parenting with adults briefing paper
18 December 2025
Letter from Parenting Across Scotland regarding unmet support needs of parents with adult aged children (over 18 years), 18 December 2025
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019: Statutory Review Period Report
17 December 2025
Letter from the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, 17 December 2025
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Human Rights Bill for Scotland
17 December 2025
Letter to the Minister for Equalities, 17 December 2025
Meeting date: Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
Meeting date: Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Decision on Taking Business in Private, British Sign Language Inquiry
Meeting date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Decision on Taking Business in Private, Scottish Human Rights Commission
Meeting date: Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Decision on Taking Business in Private, Human Rights, Equalities and Access to Services (Rural Areas)
Meeting date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Decision on Taking Business in Private, Human Rights, Equalities and Access to Services (Rural Areas)
Meeting date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Decision on Taking Business in Private, Subordinate Legislation
Meeting date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Decision on Taking Business in Private, Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Meeting date: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Decision on Taking Business in Private, Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Meeting date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
A report of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on pre-budget scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s budget for 2026-27 focussing on human rights budgeting.
Stage 1 report by the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility)(Scotland) Bill.
Report by the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on affirmative instruments relating to child contact services and on whether the instruments should be approved.
To consider and report on the following (and any additional matter added under Rule 6.1.5A)—
a. matters relating to equal opportunities, and upon the observance of equal opportunities within the Parliament; and
b. matters relating to human rights.
c. matters relating to civil justice within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs.
2. In these Rules
(a) “equal opportunities” includes the prevention, elimination or regulation of discrimination between persons on grounds of sex or marital status, on racial grounds or on grounds of disability, age, sexual orientation, language or social origin or of other personal attributes, including beliefs or opinions such as religious beliefs or political opinions; and
(b) “human rights” includes Convention rights (within the meaning of section 1 of the Human Rights Act 1998) and other human rights as for example contained in any international convention, treaty or other international instrument ratified by the United Kingdom.
Full details of committee membership, including substitute and previous members