Who we are
Making Rights Real is a small grassroots human rights organisation in Scotland with a big vision - to support marginalised communities to use the power of human rights to mobilise for economic and social change.
Inspired by the work of Participation and the Practice of Rights in Belfast and following a successful housing rights pilot, Making Rights Real was founded in 2020 and is growing a network of people and communities using human rights in practice in Scotland.
This website is still under development. For now, you can find out more about who we are and how Making Rights Real was founded. Sign up to our mailing list below to be kept up to date as we grow and develop the organisation.
We make rights real by working alongside communities to name and claim their rights.
We work to practically support collective action around rights.
We use a human rights based approach, building a movement of allies and supporters to achieve meaningful change.
We are part of a global movement for change, collaborating with people from around the world to share learning and practice.
News & Blog
UN Special Rapporteur invited to meet Scottish Gypsy Travellers: “systemic change in housing service delivery and engagement” needed
Making Rights Real and RAJPOT have provided written evidence to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, in response to his recent call for evidence on “localizing the right to adequate housing: How local governments and community-led initiatives can contribute to the realization of the right to adequate housing”. We argue that…
Lorraine Barrie speaks today at the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee of the Scottish Parliament
Today, Making Rights Real’s Intertim Director Lorraine Barrie spoke to members of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee of the Scottish Parliament. This was the third of three meetings this committee held to hear evidence from organisations working in human rights. She was joined in a roundtable discussion by Jennifer Cannon, Head of…
Making Rights Real join call for Human Rights Bill
Making Rights Real have joined more than 50 organisations in writing to the First Minister ahead of next week’s Programme for Government (coordinated by Amnesty International UK), urging the Scottish Government to deliver on its commitment to introduce a Human Rights Bill. The letter makes clear that a Human Rights Bill is not only about…
Young human rights defenders feature in Edinburgh Evening News
“When we give young people a seat at the table and invest in their ideas, they shine.” This article is reproduced from PressReader.com | Young ‘Banana Flats’ residents take a lead in shaping the future in Leith — YMCA Edinburgh and the young people they work with featured in this fantastic article. We look forward…
More Than Just Words: The Small Voices Carrying Scotland’s Hidden Gypsy Traveller History
“This was not simply an art exhibition. It was a family archive, a historical record, a public education event and an act of resistance.” Read all about the “Nackens Now and Then” exhibition in this terrific article by Violet Cannon in Travellers Times. Many congratulations to the organisers – this exhibition should be featured in museums and public…
Local Hero Roseanna McPhee attends Scottish Parliament opening
Roseanna McPhee (pictured above), human rights defender and Tinker Experiment campaigner, attended the opening of the Scottish Parliament on 27th June 2026, as the guest of Mark Ruskell MSP. MSPs invited local heroes to attend the ceremony, with King Charles III and Queen Camilla in attendance. Roseanna, Shamus McPhee and other Tinker Experiment victims continue their…
Our Inspiration and Learning
Housing Rights in Practice
Housing Rights in Practice was a partnership between PPR, the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) and Edinburgh Tenants Federation (ETF) and aimed to support a group of residents living in poor housing conditions in Leith, Edinburgh advocate for their right to an adequate standard of housing.
PPR Belfast
Participation and the Practice of Rights (PPR) puts the power of human rights at the service of those who need it most. PPR supports marginalised people to assert their rights in practical ways and make real social and economic change in their communities.
Making Rights Real Scoping Study
In 2020, the Baring Foundation funded scoping work to establish Making Rights Real. Led by Clare MacGillivray, the scoping work was supported by a Scottish Advisory Group including Participation and the Practice of Rights, community activists, the Scottish Human Rights Commission, Scottish Community Development Centre, University of Glasgow, Amnesty International, the Human Rights Consortium Scotland and the ALLIANCE.
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