Politics: Reflecting on a busy time of parliamentary work
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Now that the Scottish Parliament and schools have gone on break, I am looking forward to spending some quality time with my family in the constituency.
This year so far has been a busy one, particularly on committee. It is an honour to sit on two committees in the Scottish Parliament: the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee and the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee.
Our work on the former is supporting Scotland in taking great strides forward in advancing the causes of equal opportunities, human rights and civil justice.
This past year, our committee met 31 times, took evidence from 131 people from 70 organisations, published eight reports, and considered and scrutinised 26 pieces of legislation.
Before recess, we were carrying out an important inquiry on asylum seekers in Scotland to understand what rights they have, what public resources are available to them and the experience of those seeking, granted and refused asylum.
Despite calling on the UK Government to devolve immigration so that Scotland can create an asylum system based on fairness and compassion, Westminster has repeatedly ignored us. Meanwhile, the Tories are failing to protect vulnerable, unaccompanied children seeking asylum here.
This week the United Nations itself warned that the UK Government's Illegal Migration Bill "sets a worrying precedent" and warned of the profound impact on human rights and the international refugee protection system.
Scotland has a long and proud history of welcoming people of all nationalities and faiths and we will always stand shoulder to shoulder with those who are seeking refuge from war and persecution.
We want nothing to do with this vile bill, which seeks to punish some of the most vulnerable people in the world.
I was proud to speak out against the inhumane legislation in a debate and vote against it in the Scottish Parliament in April.
In the words of Nelson Mandela, whose birthday we marked this week, and every year on July 18: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived; it is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
I will continue to defend and progress the rights of those who are marginalised and minoritised both within and outwith parliament.
My work on the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee is also very close to my heart. As a representative of coastal communities, supporting Scotland's world-class food producers – especially our fishers – in ensuring our food security is among my foremost priorities.
This past year, our committee met 33 times, took evidence from 106 people from 33 organisations, published eight reports, and considered and scrutinised 22 pieces of legislation.
Among the many issues we considered were proposals for Highly Protected Marine Areas. In a number of debates and through correspondence with the Scottish Government, I raised concern about the impact of Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) on coastal communities and called on the government to provide reassurance they will not be imposed without consent.
When we return in September, our committee will continue its important inquiry on future agriculture policy in Scotland.
We are scrutinising the work of the Scottish Government in supporting farmers and crofters in high quality food production, climate change adaptation and mitigation, nature protection and restoration, improved animal health and welfare and the wider development of rural communities.
Beyond my work on committee, one of the greatest privileges as a MSP is visiting schools across Banffshire and Buchan Coast and welcoming pupils at Holyrood so they can learn about the Scottish Parliament and the elected members working to build a sustainable and prosperous future for their generation.
If you are a school or a pupil in Banffshire and Buchan Coast and would like to visit the Scottish Parliament when we return, please get in touch at karen.adam.msp@parliament.scot
