Brexit could mean borders become a "barrier to social progress", a group of government advisers have warned.
The Standing Council on Europe was set up by the First Minister in the wake of the EU referendum result to give advice on securing Scotland's relationship and status within the EU.
Chaired by Professor Anton Muscatelli, it brings together specialists in legal, European, financial, business and diplomatic matters.
At its second meeting on Monday it looked at the impact Brexit could have on human rights and social protections, such as employment law and workers' rights.
Nicola Sturgeon said: "The EU guarantees everyone in Scotland rights that we now take for granted - from rights to free speech, religion, and non-discrimination, to social protections such as the right to paid holiday, maternity leave or limits to working hours.
"Legislation in these areas is reserved to Westminster and there are real fears that a UK Government outside the single market will seek a race to the bottom and erode these rights and protections that have been built up over decades.
"The Standing Council today considered these issues and discussed how we can maintain our rights, and potentially enhance protections in the future, while maintaining Scotland's ability to engage and influence the countries around us on these important matters."
The meeting was also attended by the Scottish Government's new Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe, Michael Russell.
Alan Miller, former chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission and the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions, said: "With Brexit, we cannot and must not regress. We need to raise public awareness of the risks of Brexit otherwise we could be on a path to an age where national borders act as a barrier to social progress.
"Any rolling back of our fundamental human rights and freedoms would diminish everyone's quality of life.
"If EU citizens benefit from advances in economic and social protections in the future, then people in Scotland should be able to enjoy those same rights. And Scotland must be able continue on its own progressive journey and act in solidarity with other countries to tackle common issues."
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