Scotland's justice minister has unveiled ambitious plans to change the attitude of Scots towards human rights.

Jim Wallace announced his intention to establish an independent human rights commission more than a year ago.

He has now published a consultation paper spelling out its "key building blocks".

The Scottish Liberal Democrat leader hopes the initiative will produce a major shift in Scottish society.

I sincerely hope it will help move the emphasis away from the court room to working to achieving a better Scotland for all Jim Wallace Justice Minister

The commission will look at all areas of devolved life, such as health, transport and education.

Speaking to an audience of law students at Glasgow University, Mr Wallace said: "What we want to see in today's Scotland are human rights as an integral part of our daily lives.

"The Scottish Human Rights Commission has the capacity to make a difference to everyone living in Scotland now, and in the future, by helping to develop a culture of human rights through the promotion and protection of our rights."

He said the proposals covered the three main building blocks of the commission - its remit, functions and structure.

The commission will only be able to deal with matters which are devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

Health matters

However, Mr Wallace argued that this still gave "immense potential for change in our society".

He said: "The commission will be able to tackle matters relating to our health, our education, our environment.

"It will have the ability to hold both government and our public authorities to account.

"I sincerely hope it will help move the emphasis away from the court room to working to achieving a better Scotland for all."

It is proposed that the commission would have a role to play in education and in raising awareness.

Investigations

It would also have the power to conduct investigations.

"I envisage that the commission's investigations will examine practices and policies in Scottish society about which concerns have been expressed," said Mr Wallace.

"Its role will be to investigate generic and sectoral human rights issues rather than individual complaints."

The commission will be accountable directly to the Scottish Parliament, rather than to ministers.