Amnesty in Scotland

Our Edinburgh office was established in 1992. In the years since, our Scotland team has campaigned on a range of domestic and international human rights issues.

Our current work in Scotland covers a variety of areas, including pushing for a new Scottish Human Rights Bill, for stronger everyday rights in areas like housing and social security, and for the Scottish Government and other public bodies to put human rights at the heart of everything they do.

We believe in a Scotland where everyone can discover the power of their rights.

On 7 May 2026, Scotland will elect new members of the Scottish Parliament and a new Scottish Government.

This is a crucial opportunity to put human rights at the heart of Holyrood.

Everyone deserves the basic rights necessary for a good life - housing, food, healthcare, education, and a safety net for life’s uncertainties.

These rights are interconnected and rely on each other to ensure an adequate standard of living for everyone.

Across Scotland, we’re seeing the same challenges hitting people’s lives. Too many people are being denied their rights. Too many are living in poverty or in inadequate or insecure housing. And too many communities are being demonised simply for being who they are. This election can help to change that.

The 2026 elections can be a moment of possibility in Scotland. It is a chance for candidates and party leaders to focus their attention on what people want - practical action taken towards building a more just Scotland for all.

People in Scotland want to see a fair and decent society where nobody has to struggle for the essentials. A human rights bill that will introduce strong legal protections for those everyday rights is a vital step in achieving that future.

We are calling on candidates and political parties to commit to strengthening human rights protections.

Amnesty International has published a human rights manifesto setting out our calls on the next Scottish Government to create a more just and more equal Scotland.

Our Scotland team has created a practical campaign toolkit packed with guidance and tips to help activists engage with candidates and further champion human rights in the lead‑up to the Scottish Parliamentary election.