The Scottish Human Rights Commission has urged the United Nations to demand the criminal age of responsibility for children be raised in Scotland from the age of eight.

The SHRC call was part of a dossier of concerns on the lack of legal protections facing children in Scotland.

The UK Government's welfare cuts were also flagged up as an area worthy of investigation.

The SHRC dossier was sent to the UN's Committee on the Rights of the Child.

A minority of the issues raised related to the UK Government, but a majority are under the control of the Scottish Parliament.

Scotland has one of the lowest ages of criminal responsibility in the world - 8 - although the minimum age of prosecution is now 12.

In 2012/13, around 23,726 children and young people were involved in offending.

According to the SHRC, the majority of offending cases involving under-16s are dealt with through the children's hearing system, but the watchdog argued that the "criminalisation" of young children raises "serious concerns".

It concluded: "SHRC recommends the Committee ask the United Kingdom to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility and ensure the full implementation of juvenile justice standards."

The watchdog has also raised the issue of changes to how children qualify for access to legal advice and legal aid.

A child's disposable income used to be the measurement, but the calculation now includes the finances of anyone who owes a "duty of aliment" - or financial support - to a young person.

The Commission has informed the UN that it is "concerned" about the new system.

On smacking, criminal justice legislation allows parents a defence of "justifiable assault" on children.

The SHRC believes the status quo has "negative effects" on children and has urged the UN to quiz the UK on the law in Scotland.

The Commission also argued that the children of female prisoners are "adversely affected" by imprisonment and hit out at the "legality and proportionately" of non-statutory stop and search, particularly in relation to children and other vulnerable groups. It emerged on Friday that the publicly-funded SHRC had also contacted the UN about the huge volume of stop and search operations carried out north of the border.

On UK Government child policies, the SHRC criticised the proposed replacement of the Human Rights Act and queried the effect of Tory welfare cuts on child poverty levels.

A bill was also introduced to Holyrood this year that would stop apologies by organisations or institutions being used as evidence of liability in civil proceedings. The intention of the legislation is to end the fear that apologising could trigger legal action.

The SHRC believes the legislation could have an role in cases of historic abuse of children, but has urged the UN to examine whether the definition of 'apology' in the Bill is sufficient.

Tam Baillie, Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People, said: "Scotland's age of criminal responsibility is woefully low and a stain on our international reputation: it is repeatedly criticised by the United Nations' Committee on the Rights of the Child.

"The sooner we attend to this issue the better. It could be done through a straightforward amendment to how children are referred to the hearing system, which will avoid needless criminalisation or our youngest children."

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: "It is high time that we met our international obligations and took steps to ensure that children are treated like children, not criminals.

"How can it be right to keep rules in place that allow eight year old children to get a criminal record? Scottish Liberal Democrats have tabled amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill that would mean an end to this absurd situation. I hope the Scottish Government will see sense and back this liberal reform."

Scottish Conservative justice spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell said: "This isn't a new debate and therefore not surprising that the Scottish Human Rights Commission is raising the issue again.

"A balance has to be struck between protecting the rights of the child and ensuring that they take responsibility for their actions. And at present we think the balance is correct."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "The age of criminal responsibility remains under active consideration and the policy, legislative and procedural implications of a change in Scotland are complex. Consideration is on-going and has centred on police investigatory powers, forensic sampling, disclosure and risk management into adulthood along with developing responses to concerns around victims and community confidence. There is a particular need to retain confidence where 8-11 year olds are involved in the most serious violent or sexual cases."