THE UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) came into legal force in Scotland today.

Hailed as a “historic day,” it marks the end of a long journey for legislation first passed unanimously in Holyrood in March 2021 before being struck down in the Supreme Court on the grounds it breached devolution conventions by impinging on UK-wide law.

After a period of reconsideration and redrafting, the legislation was once backed by all MSPs in the Scottish Parliament last year, this time avoiding a constitutional stand-off and making it onto the statute book.

The NSPCC’s Joanna Barrett called it “a significant milestone in making sure that all children’s rights are recognised, respected and upheld.”

Children and Young People’s Commissioner for Scotland Nicola Killean said: “It is a historic day in Scotland for children.”

Outlining the importance of the incorporation for people who “don’t have economic or political power,” she added: “Having their rights enshrined in our law, it builds a culture which helps to correct that.

“It places proactive obligations on government and public authorities — they have to proactively consider children’s rights at the beginning of the creation of any new law now, of policies, of services and practice that are designed.

“This will ensure that children are put first whenever we’re looking at any law, any policy, any practice and considering what that means for children’s rights.”

SNP Children’s Minister Natalie Don said: “We want all young people to grow up loved, safe and respected and the UNCRC Act aims to do just that.

“The Scottish government is proud that we are the first devolved UK nation to incorporate the UNCRC into law, helping to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow up.”