We demand my sister is returned back to her family from the 2nd unlawful kinship placement since she has suffered from 2019 along with myself I managed to set my self free as a careleaver from social work Fife Council

 

This petition emphasizes the severity of the breaches of human rights and the need for international intervention. It holds John Swinney accountable for the failures under his watch while also seeking wider reform of the child protection system.

 

To The United Nations Human Rights Council, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and all international bodies concerned with the welfare of children and human rights violations.

Subject: Demand for Accountability and Action Regarding the Breach of Human Rights Under John Swinney's Leadership in Scotland’s Child Protection System

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We, the undersigned, petition to hold John Swinney, former Deputy First Minister of Scotland, accountable for severe breaches of human rights that occurred under his leadership, particularly concerning the failures of the child protection system in Fife and across Scotland.

Context:

Since 2019, children and families in Fife, Scotland, have been subject to systemic failures within the child protection services, leading to significant psychological, emotional, and physical harm. Despite widespread efforts to reform child protection in Scotland, these efforts have not been effective in preventing ongoing abuse and neglect under local authority care. A detailed account of this failure, supported by evidence, was submitted to the Scottish Government, including a personal letter addressed to John Swinney. However, the response from his office was dismissive, claiming that Mr. Swinney was "too busy" to address these critical issues.

Specific Failures Under John Swinney’s Watch:

1. Gross Negligence in Child Protection Cases: Children have been placed in inappropriate kinship care arrangements without proper background checks or adherence to legal frameworks. These children have been subjected to medical misdiagnoses, psychological manipulation, and emotional abuse. Despite repeated complaints, the Scottish Government failed to intervene meaningfully.

2. Human Rights Violations: Article 3 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) mandates that the best interests of the child be a primary consideration in all actions concerning them. Under John Swinney’s leadership, children were denied their right to proper medical care, mental health support, and protection from harm, violating their fundamental human rights.

3. Failure of Accountability Mechanisms: Complaints made to local authorities, the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO), and other regulatory bodies were consistently ignored or inadequately addressed. This lack of accountability, combined with a failure to act on clear evidence of abuse and neglect, demonstrates a disregard for the wellbeing of Scotland’s children and the legal obligations outlined in international human rights law.

4. Obstruction of Justice and Due Process: Families affected by these failures were subjected to false accusations, manipulated legal processes, and prolonged court cases without just cause. This placed an undue burden on parents and children alike, leaving them trapped in a system that actively worked against their interests.

5. Lack of Oversight and Professional Accountability: Despite commitments to improve child protection systems in Scotland, professionals within local authorities, including Fife Council, acted with impunity. There was no personal liability for the damage caused to children and families, and the decisions made were hidden from public scrutiny. This lack of transparency allowed abuses to continue unchecked.

 

The Call for International Action:

Given the Scottish Government's failure to address these ongoing breaches of human rights, we call upon the international community to take action. We urge:

The United Nations Human Rights Council to launch an investigation into systemic human rights violations in Scotland's child protection system and hold John Swinney accountable for his role in these failures.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch to support the victims of Scotland's broken care system and campaign for reform that ensures true accountability, transparency, and protection for vulnerable children.

The European Court of Human Rights to examine this case for violations under the European Convention on Human Rights, including Article 8 (Right to Respect for Private and Family Life) and Article 3 (Prohibition of Inhuman or Degrading Treatment).

Our Demands:

1. A Formal Inquiry: We demand an independent international inquiry into the failures of Scotland’s child protection system under the leadership of John Swinney, focusing on the breaches of the UNCRC, the European Convention on Human Rights, and Scotland’s own legal framework.

2. Accountability for John Swinney: We call for John Swinney to be held personally accountable for his inaction and for failing to address the systemic abuse and neglect of children in care. His role in overseeing the Scottish Government’s child protection policies makes him directly responsible for the suffering endured by many children and families.

3. Reform of Scotland’s Child Protection System: We demand immediate and comprehensive reform of the child protection system in Scotland to prevent future human rights violations. This includes the implementation of independent oversight bodies, improved transparency, and mechanisms that hold professionals accountable for their actions.

4. Compensation and Support for Victims: The children and families who have suffered due to the failures of Scotland’s care system must receive justice. We demand that they be given access to proper legal representation, mental health support, and financial compensation for the harm they have endured.

 

Conclusion:

The systemic failures within Scotland’s child protection system represent a gross violation of children's human rights. Under John Swinney's leadership, the Scottish Government neglected its duty to protect vulnerable children, resulting in lasting trauma and harm. We call on the international community to hold him accountable and demand immediate action to prevent further abuses.

We the underside call for justice for Scotland’s children.

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Thank you 

The underside