Statement about the emergency evidence session by the EHRCJ Committee

[ArabellaScott]

14 women's rights organisations have written to protest at bias in the Scottish Government's GRR Bill - I'm guessing it's okay to reproduce large parts of this statement, as it's public:

'Women – in particular those with concerns about the potential impact of this bill on women who have experienced male violence – have been treated with contempt throughout this process, first by the Scottish Government, and now by the majority of the Scottish parliamentary committee. Their concerns have been belittled, misrepresented and dismissed.'

...

'The following questions should all be asked of Mr Madrigal-Borloz:

Is it your view that women and girls around the world are singled out for discrimination and disadvantage, such as female infanticide, education denial, forced marriage, restrictions on their liberties and rights, and multiple other legal, social and economic disadvantages, on the basis of something other than their physical sex?

Which countries that have introduced self-declaration systems for legal gender recognition have undertaken evaluations of the impacts on women and girls? Please provide MSPs with details of any such reports, the scope of the evaluation undertaken, date published etc.

How is the monitoring of effects of such laws on women and girls possible where datasets have ceased collecting data on sex, in favour of collecting data on self declared gender identity?

How do you define harms against women and girls? Is it your view that harms should be confined to physical and sexual assaults?

What analysis have you undertaken to assess the degree of reluctance women and girls experience in reporting any incidents? For example, concerns about accusations of committing a hate crime.

What importance do you place on ensuring women and girls’ privacy, dignity and psychological safety?

You claim that women objecting to this law change believe that all transwomen are predators. Please can you provide specific examples of organisations that have made such statements in Scotland.

How would you expect evidence to be found about the change in the incidence of non-contact sexual offences committed by males in women-only spaces, such as voyeurism, after changes in the law and policy?

In countries that have introduced self-declaration systems for legal gender recognition, what measures have been put in place to quantify the numbers of women and girls self-excluding from women-only spaces and services that are now open to transwomen?

Is it your view that safety and fairness matter for women and girls in sport?'

This statement is signed by:

Evidence-Based Social Work Alliance
Fair Play For Women
For Women Scotland
Frontline Feminists Scotland
Keep Prisons Single Sex
MurrayBlackburnMackenzie
Scottish Feminist Network
Sex Matters
Women and Girls Scotland
Women’s Rights Network
Women Voting With Our Feet
Woman’s Place UK
Women Speak Scotland
FiLiA
Johann Lamont (former MSP)
Elaine Smith (former MSP)
Jenny Marra (former MSP)
Marlyn Glen (former MSP)

forwomen.scot/18/12/2022/emergency-evidence-session-by-ehrcj-committee/

What Rachael Hamilton wanted to ask

mobile.twitter.com/Rachael2Win/status/1604936476860497920

The point about accurate data was also made by Victor earlier. He made the point that several years ago when - I think it was in Brazil - the government looked into stats for murdered transwomen the number was zero. Because they had all been recorded as men.

The problem of course, what he didn't say is that if you have a dead male body in a dress, the authorities have no accurate way of determining whether that person was a member of the LGBTQI+ community or just a bloke wearing a dress.

"That person from the UN" is fantastic 👏

Thank you for taking the time to do this @ArabellaScott
I read it through last night and felt so happy that Reem was saying all the things we have been saying for years. It felt like finally they have to listen.

And now this morning I’m feeling despondent at the realisation they have heard about the issues for WAG but will carry on regardless.

What's going on with the amendments? Is Robison trying to save face, or just bullying people?

www.holyrood.com/news/view,un-experts-disagree-on-impacts-of-gender-recognition-reforms

@TiddlesTheTiger "surely they listened, instead of just sitting like a bunch of Potato heads"
If they identify as potato heads that's none of your business! I didn't think I'd still be challenging spudphobia in 2022!

Thanks so much for the transcriptions @ArabellaScott I couldn't listen along so it was great to be able to read what was going on!

"There isn't evidence because they haven't asked the women". Speaks volumes. They can't say they didn't know.

How can it be said that they have consulted with womens groups when we know there are men in charge of at least one of them, and they are dependent on holding “inclusive “ policies to get funding?

Thanks, I had wondered.

Re the amendments - I think they're just putting pressure on MSPs to refuse amendments.

I think it might actually be better for us if all amendments were refused, because then the whole Bill could be scrapped/struck down.

I slightly wonder if this is what their aim was all along - make a Bill that WM would have to take down, to allow them to say they tried and blame failure on WM. It's a common SNP tactic.

EHRC have responded to last night's emergency session:

FairPlayforWomen shared their briefing letter - excerpt here:

'We note that many of the amendments passed at Stage 2 sought to address and clarify some of the matters we were raising. There are a number of Stage 3 amendments that, if adopted, will continue this process. We welcome in particular the amendment brought forward by the Government which provides for a duty for Ministers to produce guidance on the operation of the Act and in doing so to consult with the Commission and other equality and human rights bodies. We stand ready to continue to provide advice following the conclusion of the legislative process. We also note that two UN Special Rapporteurs have recently offered contrasting views on the implications of the proposed reforms, and that both will give evidence to the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on 19 December. We defer to the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on the human rights implications of these reforms in Scotland. But we have pointed out, in line with our remit as the National Human Rights Institution for England and Wales, and for reserved matters in Scotland, that requires us to consider human rights impacts across Britain, that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child defines anyone under 18 as a child. We also question the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity’s interpretation of state parties’ legal obligations with respect to gender recognition reform, which we are raising in correspondence with the SHRC. The differing perspectives offered by UN Special Rapporteurs demonstrate again that this is a complex area of public policy and debate that is continuing to evolve, and underline the need for detailed and robust parliamentary scrutiny of the implications of reforms for trans people, women and girls, religious groups, and others before they proceed.'

Full letter: t.co/nCoZvqVVts

Thanks Arabella. Is there a link to the meeting? Sorry to ask if it has been posted already.

The official report on the emergency meeting has now been published on the Scottish Parliament website:

www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/EHRCJ-19-12-2022?meeting=14062

You'll find the complete transcript of all statements, questions and answers there.

Thanks, Charlie.

Thanks, Charlie.

The current meeting?

Is on here: www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meeting-of-the-parliament-december-20-2022

I have to thank you for the stellar work on filling us in on today's debate and yesterday's meeting. I couldn't listen to the whole and really appreciated having your updates.

You're so very welcome, Charlie. Sorry I couldn't do the whole shebang.

It's still ongoing!

It’s been a shit show here this afternoon & tonight , on and on with the lies, gaslighting and complete disregard for women and safeguarding of children.

I had to leave because I had enough but we will be back on Wednesday afternoon to fight on.

Thank you for being there Rhannion 💐

👍 I had lots of good company, especially when Mr Neil Murray joined the vigil, and in the public gallery to represent his fabulous wife Jo.

Thank you, Rhannion. With you in spirit.

💚🤍💜