Thursday September 10th 11am: Join us at Holyrood
“All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.” (Article 1, Paragraph 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR))
The May election produced the biggest ever majority for independence in Holyrood. The Westminster government acts as if this doesn’t matter.
We invite you to join us on Thursday September 10th at 11am for a rally outside the Scottish Parliament to show support for Respect Scottish Sovereignty’s petition – calling on the Scottish Government to convene a People’s Assembly on the topic of the right of the sovereign People of Scotland to decide their own future.
It’s time that we the people assert our right to self-determination.
RSS is a grassroots driven campaign group that advocates for Direct Democracy (DD) in order to achieve
Popular Sovereignty. We ballot our members on topics of vital importance to Scotland.
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Action
Our model of popular sovereignty has precedents in Scotland. The 1990s Skye Bridge toll resistance campaign and the 1994 Strathclyde water privatisation referendum are two differing examples of people power. The example of the generational struggle for our Scottish Parliament is another. Now we face the challenge of asserting our right to decide our constitutional future for ourselves. Entrenched financial and political power should not be able to ignore the needs and wishes of the people.
Engagement
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Unbiased information
RSS supports a fiercely independent blog which publishes topical articles on Scottish self-determination. Excellent research and analysis are synthesised into short articles ideal for sharing with like-minded family, friends and colleagues. Visit the following websites for the latest news on Scottish self-determination and Direct Democracy.
Direct Democracy explained
Should the People always have the right to vote down legislation which is obviously against their will? Should they have the right to propose laws of their own? We think so. Read more on how Direct Democracy – putting decision making in the hands of the people – could reshape our country for the better.
We Have the Power – Let’s Use It!
Respect Scottish Sovereignty (RSS) promotes Direct Democracy (DD) and Decentralised Direct Democracy (DDD) in Scotland. We help the public engage with MSPs, push for Referendums, and take action on key issues like the ICCPR and the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill (VWJR). RSS aims to make Scottish Popular Sovereignty a reality. To that end, we urge the Scottish government to implement the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights into Scottish law without delay. The ICCPR enshrining a people’s right to self-determination is a modern affirmation of the Claim of Right, extendng the power of the Sovereign Scottish People Learn more >>
Discover Our Case Study and Practical Insights
Explore how the region of Strathclyde empowered the People to protect Scotland’s water from privatisation in the 1990s. This case study reveals how a region-wide referendum effectively challenged Westminster’s legislation, securing public ownership of water resources. It also raises important questions about the role of Decentralised Direct Democracy (DDD) in Scotland’s governance.
Read on to discover how the partnership between the People and regional authority triumphed over central government and how such a model can be introduced to ensure meaningful decentralisation throughout Scotland.
Please read our document:
‘Scottish Popular Sovereignty and Modern Direct Democracy‘
Rethinking National Governance: The Role of Consensus in Direct Democracy
This page highlights the importance of stable National Governance for effective Direct Democracy (DD). It contrasts Scotland’s conflictual political system with Switzerland’s consensus-based model, where the People supervise and control government and parliamentary decisions without political instability. The Swiss approach, emphasising consensus over conflict, offers insights for Scotland’s future governance discussions. Learn more >>
The Importance of Political Rights in Scotland's Future
This section explains the significance of direct Political Rights, based on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Scotland has yet to incorporate in legislation – but which, in accordance with the Scotland Act 1998, it could do tomorrow. It discusses how the exclusion of these rights impacts the Scottish People, particularly the lack of direct mechanisms like Initiatives and Referendums. The following pages explore these tools and their relevance to Scotland’s future governance. Learn more >>