A recent report highlights that individuals in some regions of Scotland are encountering difficulties in accessing their fundamental rights to health, housing, and food.
The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has investigated the circumstances in Argyll and Bute, the Hebrides, the Highlands, Moray, and the Northern Isles.
The report highlighted the challenges stemming from a lack of affordable housing, the centralization of health services, fuel poverty, and inconsistent public transportation.
The Scottish Government announced that it had implemented measures to tackle several concerns highlighted in the report.
Last year, the SHRC decided to conduct a study due to its limited understanding of the challenges faced by rural and island communities compared to those in central Scotland.
The commission interviewed diverse stakeholders, including community leaders, campaigners, development trusts, teachers, crofters, lawyers, health workers, and Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs).
- In Orkney, individuals are declining job opportunities due to the lack of appropriate housing options. Meanwhile, victims of abuse are struggling to secure accommodation that allows them to distance themselves from their alleged offenders.
- The centralization of health services has resulted in approximately 14,000 patients annually from Caithness and Sutherland making the journey to Inverness for medical care, a trend that notably includes expectant mothers seeking maternity services.
- The Isle of Skye faces challenges with its public transport system, which has not evolved in two decades, even as the number of visitors continues to rise. The road infrastructure remains stagnant, raising concerns about accessibility and the impact on local communities.
- Parents and carers in the Western Isles make weekly journeys of up to 500 miles to secure educational services for their children and adults with learning disabilities.
The SHRC reported that, in examining various rights, it identified no human right that fulfilled all the adequacy criteria outlined by international law.
The organization has put forth several recommendations directed at the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address issues such as homelessness, hunger, and access to sexual and reproductive health services.
Chairwoman Prof Angela O’Hagan expressed significant concern regarding the deteriorating conditions of economic, social, and cultural rights.
She stated, “A significant number of individuals in the Highland and Islands are experiencing hunger, homelessness, a lack of access to healthcare, and are struggling to obtain the essentials for daily living.”This initiative represents a groundbreaking approach to monitoring aimed at bridging the gap between the commission and local communities while amplifying their voices and addressing their challenges. As we advance in refining this approach, it is anticipated that all duty-bearers will thoroughly consider the findings presented in this report and the necessary actions they must undertake to fulfill their human rights responsibilities.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government stated, “We acknowledge the rights to food, housing, and health. This is why we have implemented measures to promote human rights in practice today while also preparing the public sector for upcoming responsibilities concerning the rights emphasized in the report.”The organization asserts that individuals should not have to sacrifice food or other necessities. They have released a plan rooted in human rights principles to address this issue.
Officials reported that nine initiatives have been implemented to enhance food accessibility and reduce the number of individuals reliant on food parcels.
A spokesperson confirmed that over 10,000 affordable homes have been provided throughout rural Scotland from April 2016 to March 2023.
The establishment of a National Centre for Remote and Rural Health and Care has been proposed to assist health and social care providers in creating long-term sustainable healthcare solutions in rural and island regions.
