Without teeth the commission will rightly be open to accusation of being just another quango

Roseanna Cunningham, SNP

"We want to see human rights become an integral part of our culture, part of our daily lives," he said.

"I believe a commission will help foster a culture that will draw on the importance of responsibilities as well as rights and promote a better and more complete understanding of the European Convention on Human Rights (EHCR)."

He said that since devolution, the focus in Scotland had been on litigation.

"I would like to see this balanced by education, guidance and awareness raising and the independent commission will be able to do this," he said.

Investigative role

Mr Wallace added that the commission's creation reflected the arrangements in place in many other countries.

The incorporation of the ECHR led to a series of challenges to Scots law.

The most notable have been against the use of speed cameras by the police and the methods for appointing temporary sheriffs.

The commission will provide guidance for public authorities and advise the Scottish Parliament on legislation.

We want to see human rights become an integral part of our culture, part of our daily lives

Justice Minister, Jim Wallace

The Scottish National Party (SNP) broadly welcomed the proposal but said it had been "a long time coming".

The party's justice spokeswoman Roseanna Cunningham said the executive had adopted SNP policy "after months and years of delay" but said the current plans were watered down.

She said: "The executive's version of the human rights commission we have been calling for has had its teeth drawn before it has had a chance to even roar.

"The commission that Jim Wallace is proposing seems to be purely advisory with no power to take cases to court itself.

'Fill the gap'

"Without teeth the commission will rightly be open to accusation of being just another quango."

She said any commission should fulfil a wide range of functions and promote good practice among public and private bodies.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats said the proposals would help MSPs "fill the gap" that currently exists when they are scrutinising bills which must comply with the EHCR.

The party's Glasgow MSP Robert Brown said: "The Scottish human rights commission follows in the footsteps of the Northern Irish commission, established as part of the Good Friday Agreement, and of many other countries in Europe and the Commonwealth which have such commissions.

"It will be a significant enhancement to Scottish public life."