Ms McKelvie highlights the recent imprisonment of two Reuters reporters in Myanmar.

"We should stand in international solidarity with the work of human rights defenders around the world."

The minister welcomes the creation of the Scottish Human Rights Defender Fellowship.

She praises the hosting of the fellowship by Dundee University.

Image source, bbc

The fellowship partners are:

• Scottish government , external
• Amnesty International , external
• Beyond Borders, external
• Front Line Defenders , external
• SCIAF , external
• universities of Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews

Image source, bbc

On 29 Marach 2017 the then Scottish Economy Minister Keith Brown has apologised over a collapsed investment pact with two Chinese firms, saying he takes "full responsibility".

The Lib Dems had sought to have Mr Brown formally censured at Holyrood over the deal, which the first minister signed with the companies in 2016.

Concerns were raised by opposition parties about the human rights records and credibility of the firms.

MSPs voted against censuring Mr Brown after he apologised in the chamber.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SinoFortone and China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group (CR3) at her official Bute House residence in March 2016. It was said to be worth up to £10bn.

Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie says in far too many countries around the world, human rights and those who defend them are seen as a problem.

Even in more progressive countries, those who speak truth to power often find the messenger is attacked.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton asks how the Scottish government will ensure due diligence will be undertaken before agreements are made with companies who violate human rights, referring to the memorandum of understanding with SinoFortone.

Ms McKelvie says she will discuss this with the member at another time, as today she wants to focus on human rights defenders.

In 2017, 312 human rights defenders were killed across 27 countries.

Image source, Reuters

The UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, established in 1998, set out the "right and the responsibility to promote and protect universally recognised human rights and fundamental freedoms".

It was create on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, external:

"To be a human rights defender, a person can act to address any human right (or rights) on behalf of individuals or groups.

"Human rights defenders seek the promotion and protection of civil and political rights as well as the promotion, protection and realization of economic, social and cultural rights."

Read more about what a defender is here., external

The Scottish government is now leading a debate on support for and protection of human rights defenders.

Image source, Scottish parliament

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton seeks assurances that increased flexibility will not lead to longer waiting times.

Ms Somerville briefly reflects on the stress caused by long waits, adding Social Security Scotland will be adequately staffed to prevent this.

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says "the assessments have literally worried people sick".

How far does the cabinet secretary's ambitions run in terms of reducing the need for face-to-face assessments, she asks.

Ms Somerville says she met with colleagues from Inclusion Scotland who talked very vividly about the stress and ill health assessments have caused.

"We are absolutely determined to bring down markedly the amount of face to face assessments that are taking place."

Labour MSP Mark Griffin welcomes the statement and requests a timetable for when the criteria disabled people will be assessed against will be publicly available.

He also seeks assurance that the private sector will be blocked from having any input in the design of the assessments.

Ms Somerville says today's statement simply lays out the foundations of the process but work is ongoing on the details.

The advisory group will provide advice on the assessments by the end of the year, she adds.

The cabinet secretary confirms the private sector will have no input.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne welcomes the commencement of the delivery of devolved benefits.

Ms Ballantyne says last October it emerged there was a marked divergence in PIP award rates across Scotland.

The cabinet secretary replies Social Security Scotland will have a very close eye on what is happening across the country.

The UK government's approach in using private providers means profit is put before people, the cabinet secretary suggests.

From application to award, we will provide a service with dignity and respect embedded throughout she states.

The needs of individuals must be prioritised when face-to-face assessments are required, Ms Somerville says.

The minister says assessments will be delivered with choice and flexibility, including having the option of a home service for those unable to travel.

Audio-recording of assessments will be standard so there is an accurate record of them, she adds.

On appeals, she confirms tribunals will be able to use the audio-recording as part of their consideration.

Ms Somerville says an in-house approach will deliver on the Scottish government's principles.

The social security secretary reiterates the need to ensure dignity and respect are at the heart of the system.

The minister insists the distress and trauma caused by the current UK government's assessments system will not occur in Scotland.

She insists: "We have learned the lessons of their failure."

The ruling out of private contractors has been enshrined in the Social Security Act, she points out.

Image source, LIKASSEK

Back in January the Scottish government confirmed that its social security legislation would allow people to have someone with them during welfare assessments.

The Socail Security Act will set up Scotland's own devolved social security system.

Then social security minister Jeane Freeman said people would have the right to be accompanied during assessments.

The UK government welcomed the announcement, and said this was already the case under the current system.

A spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions said: "We're very clear that people are free to bring someone along to their assessment, and welcome the move by the Scottish government to uphold this existing right."

The official Health Assessment Advisory Service guidance, external to applicants under the current system says: "You are welcome to bring a relative, carer or friend to the assessment."

And guidance from Citizens Advice, external about the current system says: "You can take someone with you into the actual assessment if they're 16 or over. This could be anyone who makes you feel more comfortable, like a friend, relative or carer."

But Ms Freeman said that, at present, assessments "can feel like a barrier to accessing benefits and help", saying the Scottish agency "will not replicate the current system when disability benefits are devolved".

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville pays tributes to stakeholders, expert groups and others who have assisted the Scottish government to getting to this point in the journey on devolved social security.

Social security is an investment in people, the minister says.

As such, she announces that Social Security Scotland will deliver assessments for disability benefits with the support of healthcare professionals.

Disabled people must be able to access a flexible, person-centred assessment services across the length of the country.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville is giving a statement entitled "Dignity and Respect in Scotland's Social Security System".

Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles begins by saying on 19 January 2017 it was his amendment that called on advice on rural support.

It was passed unanimously.

However the the minister has just pledged to bring forward a motion to allow a debate on the future of support for farming.

Mr Rumbles asks: "Just how long is this taking?"

Mr Ewing yet again raises his Simplicity and Stability , externaldocument, citing it as good reading.

This sets out a plan for five years about financial assistance for agriculture, he reiterates.

Green MSP John Finnie welcomes to announcements on environmental schemes, before asking about various bodies put in place for developing the principles of the policy.

Mr Ewing says the National Council on Rural Advisers has been looking into these matters at the express request of this parliament and the report will be published imminently.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Colin Smyth says he welcomes any progress on payments, but asks where the government are in relation to Pillar 2 payments.

Mr Smyth adds there will be scepticism about the delivery of payments by December.

He argues the debate on farming support reform should have been held ages ago.

Mr Ewing replies 81% of Pillar 2 claims have been completed.

The rural economy secretary insists his plan has received a broad welcome.