All – Major Events – Timeline
All – Major Events – Timeline
Link | Description |
|---|---|
| 2018: Scotland SPL – A Connected Scotland: our strategy for tackling social isolation and loneliness and building stronger social connections | The Scottish Government’s first national strategy to tackle social isolation and loneliness and build stronger social connections. |
| 2025: UK SPL – Planning and Infrastructure Bill | A Bill to make provision about infrastructure; to make provision about town and country planning; to make provision for a scheme, administered by Natural England, for a nature restoration levy payable by developers; to make provision about development corporations; to make provision about the compulsory purchase of land; to make provision about environmental outcomes reports; and for connected purposes. |
AROS – Major Events – Timeline
Link | Description |
|---|---|
| 2023/05: AIGG Publication – Vision and Mission (Approved by Ministers) | |
| 2023/09: AROS Initial Structure and Model |
International – Major Events – Timeline
Link | Description |
|---|---|
| 1948: United Nations – Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) | |
| 1950: Council of Europe – The European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms | The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, better known as the European Convention on Human Rights, was signed in Rome (Italy) on 4 November 1950 by 12 member states of the Council of Europe and entered into force on 3 September 1953 |
| 1965: United Nations – International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) | Considering that the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination of 20 November 1963 (General Assembly resolution 1904 (XVIII) )2 solemnly affirms the necessity of speedily eliminating racial discrimination throughout the world in all its forms and manifestations and of securing understanding of and respect for the dignity of the human person |
| 1966: United Nations – International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – ICCPR | |
| 1966: United Nations – International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights – ICESCR | |
| 1979: United Nations – Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) | |
| 1984: United Nations – Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment | |
| 1989: United Nations – Convention on Rights of a Child (UNCRC) | |
| 1993: United Nations – Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (The Paris Principles) | The Paris Principles, formally known as the "Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (Paris Principles)", are a set of internationally recognised standards that outline the essential characteristics of effective National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs). Scotland has one National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC). |
| 1994/11: Council of Europe – The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities – National Minorities (FCNM) | The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (Framework Convention) is Europe’s most comprehensive treaty protecting the rights of persons belonging to national minorities. It is the first legally binding multilateral instrument devoted to the protection of national minorities worldwide, and its implementation is monitored by the only international committee dedicated exclusively to minority rights: the Advisory Committee. |
| 2001/09: United Nations – The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action | The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) is a comprehensive document adopted in 2001 at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in Durban, South Africa. It serves as a framework for global efforts to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. The DDPA acknowledges the historical roots of racism, including colonialism and slavery, and their lasting impact on contemporary inequalities (United Nations, 2002). |
| 2006: United Nations – Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) | Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) |
| 2015: United Nations – International Decade for People of African Descent Begins | The International Decade for People of African Descent was a United Nations observance, spanning from 2015 to 2024, with the aim to promote recognition, justice, and development for people of African descent worldwide. It was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly to address issues faced by this group, emphasizing their human rights and full participation in society. A second decade, running from 2025 to 2034, has also been proclaimed. |
Scotland – Major Events – Timeline
Link | Description |
|---|---|
| 2004: Scottish Government – Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Strategy | Strategy not found – referenced in the Anti-Racism Policy Review (Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, 2001). |
| 2004: Scottish Government – The Diversity Strategy 2004 and Beyond | Strategy not found – referenced in the Anti-Racism Policy Review (Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, 2001). |
| 2005: The Scottish Community Development Centre and Scottish Government – National Standards for Community Engagement | The National Standards for Community Engagement (NSfCE) are a set of good-practice principles launched in Scotland in 2005 to support and improve community engagement, commissioned by the Scottish Government. Co-produced with practitioners, these standards, including principles of inclusion, equality, clear purposes, and learning from experience, are designed to guide and inform community planning and user involvement in areas like health and social care. They were refreshed in 2016 and continue to be accepted as key principles for effective practice. |
| 2007: National Performance Framework for Scotland | The National Performance Framework (NPF) in Scotland was first created by the Scottish Government in 2007. This framework was introduced to set out the government's vision for the collective wellbeing of Scotland and to guide its approach to achieving that vision. The NPF was designed to be a strategic tool, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and focusing on a balanced approach to economic, social, and environmental progress. |
| 2008: Scottish Government – Race Equality Statement 2008-2011 | Taking into account our public sector equality duties and drawing on the evidence from our stakeholders, our Review of Race Equality Work in Scotland and the work of the Equal Opportunities Committee of the Scottish Parliament, we will structure our work towards race/ equality and refugee integration around the following themes: Improved opportunities for people from minority ethnic (including Gypsy/Traveller), refugee, asylum seeker and faith communities – taking action to address the barriers which are at present preventing people from those communities from achieving what they are capable of. More responsive communities, where people from minority ethnic (including Gypsy/Traveller), refugee, asylum seeker and faith communities are better supported by services, whether specialist or mainstream. Safer communities, with lasting connections between people from all communities – minority ethnic (including Gypsy/Traveller), refugee, asylum seeker and faith communities and the wider community. Communities where all feel valued and able to live safely, respecting and valuing the contributions of all. Communities where hate crime based on race or faith is tackled effectively and where such crimes, in time, are reduced. More active and vibrant communities, with increased participation by people from minority ethnic (including Gypsy/Traveller), refugee, asylum seeker and faith communities in all aspects of mainstream community and civic activity. Increased engagement will help the integration and strengthening of community relations and develop understanding of our shared goals and aspirations. It will also contribute to the delivery of better services and provisions as the needs of communities become better understood. |
| 2012: Scottish Government – The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations | The specific duties for Scotland were laid before the Scottish Parliament on 21 March 2012 and came into force on 27 May 2012.The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 requires public authorities including the Scottish Government to publish equality outcomes which it will work to achieve. In 2021, the Scottish Government set out a suite of equality outcomes to cover the period up to 2025. |
| 2013: Scottish Government – Equality Outcomes: Ethnicity Evidence Review | The Scottish Government Equality Outcomes: Ethnicity Evidence Review is a comprehensive review of available evidence in relation to ethnicity. This paper is one of a series written to inform the development of equality outcomes for the Scottish Government. Guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) states that a range of relevant evidence relating to equality groups and communities should be used to help set equality outcomes that are likely to make the biggest difference in tackling inequalities. |
| 2013: The Surjit Singh Chhokar Inquiry | The Surjit Singh Chhokar inquiry involved two original trials and two subsequent official inquiries into the handling of the 1998 murder investigation. After two acquittals, a 2013 investigation led to a second trial for Ronnie Coulter, who was convicted of murder in 2016 after the law changed to allow for retrials in some cases. The initial failure to secure a conviction sparked controversy and led to the first inquiry, which alleged "institutional racism" and concluded the police and prosecution services had failed the family. |
| 2015: Scottish Government – Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 | The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 will help to empower community bodies through the ownership or control of land and buildings, and by strengthening their voices in decisions about public services. There are 11 topics covered by the Act. |
| 2015: The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations | The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2015, made by the Scottish Ministers, amended the 2012 Regulations to include newly created public bodies and revise existing timelines for reporting. Specifically, it modified the list of public authorities covered and adjusted the deadlines for compliance with certain duties, particularly concerning gender pay gap information and equal pay statements. Key Changes: • Adding New Public Authorities: The regulations added several newly created public bodies to the list of those covered by the specific duties. • Modifying Compliance Dates: The regulations adjusted the dates by which these new authorities were required to comply with certain duties. • Revised Gender Pay Gap Reporting: The regulations revised the timelines for publishing gender pay gap information and equal pay statements under regulations 7 and 8 of the 2012 Regulations, requiring publication for most authorities except those with fewer than 20 employees. |
| 2016: Scotland SPL – Race Equality Framework (REF) for Scotland 2016 to 2030 | In 2016, the Scottish Government published the Race Equality Framework (REF) for Scotland. CRER provided the Scottish Government with independent support in the development and delivery of the Framework. The content of the Framework was developed with input from key stakeholders and drafted collaboratively, with the Scottish Government and CRER both contributing and editing on an ongoing basis. The REF sets out how the Scottish Government aims to progress this ambition over a 15-year period from 2016 to 2030. In this document there is vision for Scotland in 2030 to be a country “where people are healthier, happier and treated with respect, and where opportunities, wealth and power are more equally spread. |
| 2017: Scottish Government – A Fairer Scotland for All: Race Equality Action Plan (REAP) 2017-21 | The race equality action plan sets out the key actions for the Scottish Government to drive positive change for minority ethnic communities. |
| 2018: Scotland Legislation – The Fairer Scotland Duty | The Fairer Scotland Duty is a legal responsibility placed on certain public bodies in Scotland to actively reduce inequalities of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage when making strategic decisions. Introduced in April 2018, it requires these bodies to consider how their decisions can help people experiencing poverty have the same life chances as those who do not. This involves carrying out an assessment to show how the duty has been met, influencing decisions before they are made, and being a meaningful part of the process. |
| 2021: Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 | The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 (Scottish Parliament Act 2021, asp 14) is legislation that aims to consolidate and update Scotland's hate crime laws. It introduces new offences for stirring up hatred, provides for the aggravation of offences by prejudice, and abolishes the offense of blasphemy. The Act was passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2021 and came into effect on April 1, 2024. |
| 2021: Scottish Government – Expert Reference Group (ERG) on COVID-19 and Ethnicity Established | The Expert Reference Group (ERG) on COVID-19 and Ethnicity was established by Scottish Government “to ensure that they had an accurate understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on minority ethnic and migrant communities in Scotland, and that policy responses reflected this. It was also asserted that there is a need to work on improving existing systems and processes, and analysing what we know, while at the same time looking more fundamentally at how the system itself needs to change. The ERG was asked to provide advice and recommendations by the Scottish Government in relation to data, evidence, risk and systemic issues. Two subgroups of the ERG were formed: one to review health data and evidence, and the other to examine systemic issues and risk |
| 2021: Scottish Government – Fairer Scotland Duty | The Fairer Scotland Duty (the Duty) came into force on 1 April 2018 and places a legal responsibility on named public bodies in Scotland to actively consider (‘pay due regard’ to) how they can reduce inequalities of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage, when making strategic decisions. The Fairer Scotland Duty, set out in Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010, came into force in Scotland from 1 April 2018. When deciding how to fulfil the Duty, the Equality Act 2010 requires those public bodies to take into account this statutory guidance issued by Scottish Ministers. |
| 2021: Scottish Government – The Race Equality Action Plan (REAP) Final Report | The Race Equality Action Plan (REAP) Final Report highlights progress made on the actions in the Race Equality Action Plan 2017 to 2021 and action taken to tackle race inequality in response to the 2020 to 2021 COVID-19 pandemic as well as action from 2021 onwards to implement the aims of the Race Equality Framework 2016-2030. |
| 2021: The Immediate Priorities Plan (IPP) | The Immediate Priorities Plan (IPP) is based on delivering on the recommendations of the Expert Reference Group (ERG) on COVID-19 and Ethnicity. The IPP focuses on supporting communities to recover from COVID-19 while implementing the recommendations of the Expert Reference Group on COVID-19 and Ethnicity (ERG). As such, there is a need to ensure there is an ongoing focus on implementing the REF that may have been lost through pivoting to responding to the pandemic. A significant proportion of the ERG recommendations focus on systemic and structural change. A key recommendation of the ERG was to establish an external body to provide a range of functions, including oversight and governance. Recommendation 7 was to set up external governance to review race equality work, and the formation of an observatory |
| 2022: Scottish Government – Updated Guidance for Public Bodies on Collecting Data on the Ethnicity of People in Scotland | In 2022, the Scottish Government published updated guidance for public bodies on collecting data on the ethnicity of people in Scotland. This includes recommended questions, guidance for interviewers and guidance on the analysis and presentation of results. |
| 2023: Police Scotland Acknowledges Institutional Racism and Discrimination – Meeting of the Scottish Police Authority – 25 May 2023 | In May 2023, during the meeting of the Scottish Police Authority, Police Scotland became the first police service in the UK to acknowledge institutional racism and discrimination. |
| 2025: Scottish Government – Mainstreaming Report 2023-2025 | Provides an update on the progress we are making to mainstream the equality duty as an employer and decision-maker. It also provides reflection on our progress towards achieving our equality outcomes for the 2021 to 2025 reporting period. |
| 2025: Scottish Government – Programme for Government 2025 to 2026 | The Scottish Government's Programme for Government (PfG) 2025 to 2026 outlines the key policy priorities for the coming year, focusing on four core areas: eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, tackling the climate emergency, and delivering high-quality, sustainable public services. This document details the specific actions and legislative programmes the government will implement to achieve these goals. |
| 2025: Scottish Government – The Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Strategy Consultation | The independent analysis of responses to the consultation on the Equality and Human Rights strategy. The Strategy sets out a framework that will guide the work that the Scottish Government, the wider public sector and partners will do to embed equality and human rights in all that it does. |
| 2025: Scottish Government – The Sheku Bayoh Inquiry | An independent public inquiry set up to examine the events surrounding the death of Sheku Bayoh, the subsequent investigation and whether race was a factor. Sheku Bayoh died on 3 May 2015 after an incident in the street in Kirkcaldy involving officers of Police Scotland. Mr Bayoh, who was 31, left behind a partner, two young sons and a close family. The purpose of the Inquiry is to examine: the immediate circumstances leading to the death of Mr Bayoh how the police dealt with the aftermath the subsequent investigation into the death whether race was a factor The Inquiry can also make recommendations to prevent deaths in similar circumstances. |
| 2026: Scottish Government – National Performance Framework Update | There is a statutory requirement for the NPF to be reviewed within every five years, with the next review due to commence by May 2023 at the latest. Work on NPF reform has commenced. We expect to be ready to launch the next iteration of the NPF around the start of the new parliamentary session and new government. Full implementation would be an ongoing exercise, as the implementation plan is executed, and website/user interface development would continue through 2026. |
UK – Major Events – Timeline
Link | Description |
|---|---|
| 1969: UK Event – UK Government Ratifies – International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) | The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) was signed by the UK in 1966 and ratified in 1969. |
| 1999: UK Event – The Macpherson Report (UK) | In 1999 a significant inquiry exploring matters arising from the death of Stephen Lawrence identifed lessons to be learned for the investigation and prosecution of racially motivated crimes. The term institutional racism was brought into prominance as a result of this inquiry. The inquiry report is commonly referred to as the Macpherson Report |
| 2003: UK Event – The Victoria Climbie Inquiry: Report of an Inquiry by Lord Laming | The Victoria Climbié Inquiry was an independent inquiry into the events leading up to the death of Victoria Climbié, an eight-year-old child who died in hospital in February 2000 of injuries sustained after months of abuse. |
| 2010: UK Event – The Equality Act 2010 | The Equality Act 2010 consolidated the previous legislation around preventing discrimination and improving equality of opportunity and good relations. The Act applies to both the private and public sectors; however, there are additional provisions for the public sector, and guidance has been published by the UK Home Office Equalities Unit. The previous legislation on ethnicity included the Race Relations (Amendment) Act (2000), which amended the earlier Race Relations Act 1976. |
| 2017: UK Event – Lammy Review: Final Report (UK) | The Lammy Review is an independent review into the treatment of, and outcomes for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals in the criminal justice system (Lammy, 2017) |
| 2017: UK Event – Launch of the Ethnicity Facts and Figures Website (UK) | The UK's Ethnicity Facts and Figures website was launched in October 2017. It was created to provide a central resource for government data on how people from different ethnic backgrounds experience public services. The website aims to increase awareness of disparities in outcomes and experiences between ethnic groups, stimulating debate and action to reduce these differences. |
| 2017: UK Event – Race in the Workplace: The McGregor-Smith Review (UK) | This independent review sets out recommendations for employers in the public and private sectors to improve diversity within their organisations. The government response is published alongside the report (McGregor-Smith, 2017) |
| 2019/07: UK Event – United Nations – Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance | At the invitation of the Government, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance visited the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 30 April to 11 May 2018 to assess the authorities’ efforts in eliminating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The Special Rapporteur expresses her appreciation to the Government of the United Kingdom for its invitation and cooperation in coordinating the visit. |
| 2020: UK Event – Disparities in the Risk and Outcomes of COVID-19 (UK) | An analysis of survival among confirmed COVID-19 cases shows that, after accounting for the effect of sex, age, deprivation and region, people of Bangladeshi ethnicity had around twice the risk of death when compared to people of White British ethnicity. People of Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Other Asian, Black Caribbean and Other Black ethnicity had between 10 and 50% higher risk of death when compared to White British (Public Health England, 2020) |
| 2020: UK Event – Windrush Lessons Learned Review by Wendy Williams (UK) | The Home Office established the Windrush Lessons Learned Review on 2 May 2018. The review is asked to “identify the key lessons for the Home Office going forward”. Issues identified in the report relate to all three of those levels in the Home Office. The review’s task was to investigate: the key legislative, policy and operational decisions that led to members of the Windrush generation becoming entangled in measures designed for illegal immigrants; what other factors played a part; why these issues were not identified sooner; what lessons the organisation can learn to ensure it does things differently in future; whether corrective measures are now in place and, if so, an assessment of their initial impact; what (if any) further recommendations should be made for the future (Williams, 2020). |
| 2021: UK Event – Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities Report (UK) | The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities Report (UK) led by Tony Sewell attempted to lay the ground for a country built on the full participation and trust of all communities. The Scottish Human Rights Commission shares the concerns of many that the recent Report from the UK Government’s Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities does not accord with the experiences of many people from black and minority ethnic communities in Scotland, nor the available data. We know from our work that black and minority ethnic people across Scotland face many barriers, including systemic racism, to their human rights, including in areas such as health, social care, housing and employment. |
| 2021: UK Event – NHS – Race and Health Observatory | NHS Race & Health Observatory (UK) an independent expert body, established by the NHS to identify and tackle inequalities experienced in health and healthcare by Black and minority ethnic patients, communities and the workforce. |
| 2022: UK Event – Inquiry into Racial Injustice in Maternity Care (UK) | In May 2022, Birthrights published "Systemic Racism, not Broken Bodies," a report detailing the findings of a year-long inquiry into racial injustice in UK maternity care. The inquiry, overseen by an expert panel, included over 300 Black, Brown, and mixed-ethnicity women and birthing people who shared their experiences. The report revealed that systemic racism within maternity services, from individual interactions to policies, deeply impacts the basic rights of these women during pregnancy and childbirth. |
| 2022: UK Event – Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review Child Q (UK) | The Child Q inquiry arose when the Child Q scandal in 2022 brought the topic of strip searching children and young people under public scrutiny, particularly the failures in decision-making by the officers involved and of applying practice within policy guidelines. Child Q, a 15-year-old girl, was strip-searched after she was wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis at school. The search was conducted despite officers having the knowledge that Child Q was menstruating and without another adult present. |
| 2022: UK Event – UK Government – Inclusive Britain strategy (UK) | The Inclusive Britain strategy sets out 70 actions to tackle racial disparities, boost opportunity and promote fairness. |
| 2022: UK Event – United Nations – Fourth Universal Periodic Review: National State Report | The UK welcomes the 4th UPR of its human rights record. The UPR is a constructive process for States to learn from and to help each other in protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. The UK remains fully committed to the UPR and the UN treaty reporting system as well as to promoting human rights internationally. Since the last UPR dialogue in May 2017, the UK has submitted reports and responses to the relevant UN Treaty Committees as follows: its response to the List of Issues under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, its 7th Periodic Report under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights along with its updated Common Core Document, and its One-Year on Report under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (2020) |
| 2025: UK Government – Draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill (UK) | The 2025 UK Draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill aims to introduce mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting for large employers (250+ employees) and strengthen the right to equal pay for ethnic minority and disabled people. The government conducted consultations on these proposals in March-June 2025 to gather evidence and views, which will help shape the final version of the Bill, expected to be published later in the parliamentary session. |
| 2025: UK Government – The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill (UK) | A Bill to make provision about border security; to make provision about immigration and asylum; to make provision about sharing customs data and trailer registration data; to make provision about articles for use in serious crime; to make provision about serious crime prevention orders; to make provision about fees paid in connection with the recognition, comparability or assessment of qualifications; and for connected purposes. |
| 2025: UK SPL – Planning and Infrastructure Bill | A Bill to make provision about infrastructure; to make provision about town and country planning; to make provision for a scheme, administered by Natural England, for a nature restoration levy payable by developers; to make provision about development corporations; to make provision about the compulsory purchase of land; to make provision about environmental outcomes reports; and for connected purposes. |
