DD Write - Sample texts for VWJR

Important:  When writing to your MP or MSPs, you must provide the following personal details otherwise you may not receive a reply:  Full name, residence & postal addresses, voter ID number and contact details (Phone / e-mail).

Here are some sample texts for use when writing to MSPs on the Victims, Witnesses & Justice Reform Bill (VWJR).  FYI, this document is formatted in Rich Text Format (.rtf) which is accessible to the widest range of word-processing applications including Word.

“I’m writing to you as a Scottish citizen as described in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1976 (ICCPR).  ICCPR Art 25 guarantees my fundamental direct Political Rights and I therefore request that you immediately take all necessary steps to recognise my rights, including those to participate in popular referendums.  Your role, as my parliamentary representative, is to legislate for the organisation of such referendums.”

“ScotGov has opted not to include the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in the Scotland’s National Human Rights Action Plan for 2023-2030 ("SNAP 2") however it's foreseen that events may evolve and changes to the plan can be made.  In this context and the recent request for a referendum on the Victims Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill (VWJR), I therefore request that you take steps to immediately implement Art 25 of ICCPR, and that SNAP 2 be updated accordingly.”

“I also believe that, since Scotland wants to be seen as a "world leader" in the field of Human Rights, the 8th Periodic Report of the UN Human Rights Committee (UNHRC), 3rd May 2024, can’t be ignored.  This report repeats previous UNHRC criticism of the UK's failure to implement ICCPR even though it was ratified by the UK in 1976 - almost 50 years ago and still not implemented!  It also criticizes the UK for not ratifying the Optional Protocol on the individual complaints procedure.  Both criticisms apply to Scotland as well.”

“Personally, I don't like being a citizen of a country that doesn't keep its international commitments and I suggest that you and your MSP colleagues shouldn't either.  I therefore repeat the above request that ICCPR Art 25 be implemented in the specific case of the VWJR Bill, a devolved matter, in compliance with the Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020.  This will represent an important first step towards a system of National Governance based on consensus as opposed to the current conflictual model of Parliamentary Sovereignty imposed by Westminster.”

“I believe that the only thing preventing adoption of such a request is the UK-imposed idea that one can hold referendums only as and when Government so decides.  This is fundamentally opposed to the Popular Sovereignty notion that National Governance is a partnership between Government and Parliament, on the one hand, and the People and Regions on the other.  In other words, the People and Regions also have the right to launch Referendums as foreseen by ICCPR Art 25 and the UN Human Rights Committee 1996 Comments thereon.  As my duly elected MSP, I therefore request that you take note of our formal relationship as equals - with the People nevertheless ultimately having the last word - and act accordingly.”

“The above having been said, I would therefore appreciate if you, as my constituency MSP and, by copy my List MSPs, would table a Stage 2 amendment to the VWJR Bill to add the text "Subject to Referendum" prior to its enactment.  I would also appreciate if the Criminal Justice Committee, copied on this message, could favourably consider your amendment request” (address of CJC:  justice.committee@parliament.scot )

DD Write - Sample texts for VWJR (continued)

“I would also appreciate if, at the same time as they consider such a proposed amendment by MSPs, members of the Criminal Justice Committee could recognise the wider implications of my request.  I'm suggesting a non-partisan governance pathway which could be the first step towards defining a new consensus-oriented relationship between the Scottish Government & Parliament (including the political parties), on the one hand, and the People & Regions on the other.  Two partners with one ambition - the Common Good of Scotland.”

“Acceptance of my request for a Stage 2 amendment would send an immediate positive message to the electorate and the resulting spin-off in terms of trust and polling would almost certainly represent a major turning point for the future of Scotland's National Governance.”