Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie says the Scottish government is committed to embedding equality and human rights in everything it does.

Advancing gender equality, promoting fair work, improving disabled people's rights and building a strong social security agency are all examples of this, she says.

She points to the advisory group which intends to ensure Scotland keeps pace with the EU when it comes to human rights after Brexit.

The minister says the Scottish Human Rights Defenders Fellowship will reach far beyond this chamber as the fellows share their work at home.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Annie Wells says human rights defenders, often at a great personal risk to themselves, are people fighing for human rights and democracy

They are described as some of the bravest people in the world, she explains.

The Tory MSP welcomes the creation of the Scottish Human Rights Defenders Fellowship.

She sincerely hopes this initiative succeeds in giving a place of safety to harbour the skills defenders need to continue their work.

"We should all take a moment to think of those who are putting themselves at great personal risk to protect and promote the rights of others."

Davie Donaldson is a part of Scotland’s Traveller community. He’s had to fight against stigmas surrounding his culture his whole life.

He described how, when a young boy, his teachers wouldn’t mark his homework because “he wouldn’t do anything with it.” He went on, however, to study social anthropology with international relations at Aberdeen University.

Keen to dispel myths about his community, Davie made a film that questions why a group of people living in Scotland for over 1,000 years are still made to feel like second–class citizens.

Labour MSP Mary Fee says this parliament has shown, since its formation in 1999, "that we are all human rights defenders".

We in Scotland and in the UK have a role to play on protecting and advocating human rights around the world, she says.

Ms Fee welcomes progress made by the Scottish government to safeguard human rights, particularly the recent commitment to incorporate the UN Rights of the Child into domestic law.

However, she points to cuts to local services as evidence the more must be done, noting this impacts disabled people, homeless people and Gypsy/Travellers.

Image source, Amnesty International

Tory MSP Jamie Greene begins by saying he has no doubt Christina McKelvie will be a defender of human rights.

Mr Greene highlights Amnesty International's Stand up for the Brave campaign and the unveiling of a mural in Kabul yesterday, external, honouring human rights defenders.

10 journalists and photographers were killed in Kabul on one day in April, including BBC reporter Ahmad Shah.

Mr Greene tells the chamber he is sure MSPs will join him in paying homage to these brave journalists.

Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale highlights the Bosnian genocide, in which mass rapes of Muslim women and girls took place.

Image source, AFP/Getty

A survivor of the war in Bosnia has spoken of the horrors she experienced during Ratko Mladic's genocide in the country.

Vernesa Subasic was speaking hours before the former general was found guilty of the deaths of 17,000 people during the Bosnian war in the 1990s.

Vernesa fled the country and came to the UK in December 1995 aged 17.

She says she saw the mutilated bodies of her neighbours in Bosnia left in public after their murder.

Read more.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth begins by saying in yesterday's news it was reported that Proud Ness will take place on 6 October.

"The very idea that Inverness might hold a Pride event was challenged by a member of the Free Church to stop it on biblical, religious and moral grounds."

Image source, HIGHLAND LGBT FORUM

Organisers of Proud Ness had to apply for permission from the local authority as a matter of routine.

The parade and associated celebrations taking place on 6 October represent the first major LGBT+ event in Inverness since 2002.

Also being held on the same day will be a Pride parade in Stornoway in Lewis.

It is being organised by Hebridean Pride.

Ahead of the Inverness celebrations, out-reach events were held by the organisers, Highland LGBT Forum, in Aviemore and Fort William.

SNP MSP Ruth Maguire praises protesters who were at the home of the UK's nuclear deterrent at Faslane at the weekend.

Demonstrators walked from the peace camp near the Argyll and Bute site to the gates of HMNB Clyde, where the country's nuclear submarines are based.

Key figures from the disarmament movement attended the Nae Nukes Anywhere rally.

Representatives from the US, Israel, Russia and Germany were joined by Scottish makar Jackie Kay.

Read more.

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Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton begins by saying whilst the minister might have felt his intervention earlier was "unkind or irrelevant" in the context of today, it is important for human rights defenders, among which Ms McKelvie is "certainly ours within the Sottish Parliament", to always speak to truth to power.

They must also ask awkward questions, he adds.

Mr Cole-Hamilton insists human rights are "in his DNA" and welcomes the fellowships in Dundee.

"There is still a toxic and hostile environment for human rights defenders the world over."

The Lib Dem MSP adds 300 human rights defenders have been killed globally in the last year.

He later admits he may have been making mischief with his intervention earlier, but "we must get our own house in order".

Image source, AFP

Media rights organisations have been tracking the number of journalists killed, detained and missing since the 1990s. Their data also includes media workers, such as fixers, interpreters and drivers, and distinguishes between those killed in crossfire, in a targeted attack, and while on a dangerous assignment.

In 2017, there were 82 deaths, external - the lowest death tally in a decade - according to IFJ.

The number of deaths each year has generally increased since the 1990s and early 2000s, when the total each year did not go above 100.

Read more.

Green MSP Andy Wightman says journalists are at the forefront of recording events and sharing them with the world.

Oppression of the press is used by governments around the world as a way to suppress human rights abuses, he states.

Last year there were 1089 limits to press freedom in European countries, while 220 media workers were arrested and detained Mr Wightman highlights.

The Green MSP also notes the many indigenous people who are refused land rights in favour of company profits.

Such threats remain constant, he says.

Labour MSP Daniel Johnson begins by quoting Franklin D Roosevelt on the four freedoms:

1. "The first is freedom of speech and expression – everywhere in the world.
2. "The second is freedoms of every person to worship god in his own way – everywhere in the world.
3. "The third is freedom from want…everywhere in the world.
4. "The fourth is freedom from fear…anywhere in the world."

Image source, bbc

Mr Johnson says we must all strive to deliver human rights in practice.

The Labour MSP insists his party welcomes the establishment of the Scottish Human Rights Defenders and acknowledges the risk human rights defenders take.

He concludes saying Labour are happy to support today's motion.

Tory MSP Alexander Stewart says human rights defenders make a significant contribution to the lives of people around the world.

What unites defenders is the desire to protect human rights and democracy across the globe, he adds.

Mr Stewart says defenders are often at risk, but he points to the fact the UK have adopted an action plan to support them.

The protection of human rights defenders remains a priority of the UK government, he says.

The Tory MSP commends the work of many church organisations working to reduce faith intolerance.

Image source, EPA

Support for human rights defenders (HRDs) is highlighted in the European Union's external policy on human rights.

It is backed by the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, a set of recommendations to streamline EU action.

The EU states support for HRDs includes public statements, political dialogues with partner countries and finance assistance granted through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).

Up to 25% of the budget for the EIDHR is given to objective 1, "Support to Human Rights and Human Rights Defenders in situations where they are most at risk".