A new human rights coalition has been launched in Scotland in conjunction with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), which has said it wants to challenge the public’s view of equality and act as a catalyst for change.

The Scottish Voluntary Sector Equality & Human Rights Coalition will be pushing for reform in legal and policy development as well as working to change public perceptions and attitudes about equality and discrimination.

Louise Carlin, equalities manager at the SCVO, said: “The voluntary sector in Scotland is uniquely placed to help tackle discrimination. Voluntary sector organisations represent all of the groups of people who currently face discrimination and through our work with society at large we can help to change prevailing attitudes held towards these individuals and groups in Scotland today.”

The coalition comprises representatives from a wide range of Scottish charitable organisations including the Scottish Carers’ Alliance and the anti-sectarian charity, Nil By Mouth. It was formally launched at the SCVO awareness-raising event Building Bridges across Scotland and Europe, which discussed the implications of recent EU anti-discrimination directives on employment and race. For more information visit www.scvo.org.uk