MSPs review rights impact of COVID-19 measures

A Holyrood committee has begun a review of the detrimental impact of COVID-19 and the lockdown measures imposed across Scotland. 

The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities & Human Rights Committee is inviting views to inform its inquiry into the effects of the virus and the response to it by the Scottish Government and other public bodies.

It aims to identify which groups and individuals are disproportionately affected by coronavirus and the response to the pandemic, and is calling for evidence on what needs to be done to ensure that actions taken minimise any negative effects on equality and human rights. 

The remit of the inquiry is: "To consider what groups and individuals are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19; identify what the Scottish Government and other public bodies, including regulatory and oversight bodies, need to do to ensure that measures taken in relation to the pandemic minimise negative effects on equality and human rights; and examine measures taken by the Scottish Government and other public bodies and the impacts they may have on equality and human rights."

During the passage of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020, committee convener Ruth Maguire MSP secured an amendment to ensure that in exercising their functions under part 1 of the Act, ministers must have due regard to the advancement of equalities and non-discrimination. She has also stated that she would expect human rights and equalities considerations to be central to all scrutiny deliberations.

Ms Maguire commented: "Everybody’s lives have changed immeasurably as a result of this pandemic. We are acutely aware, however, that some groups are experiencing disproportionately negative impacts of the virus and some of the responses to it.

"For example, we have heard reports that individuals from particular ethnic minorities are being hospitalised at higher rates than the general population, while women and young people are among those most exposed to increased risk as they are disproportionately likely to be key workers.

"Meanwhile, women, children, older and disabled people are among the most impacted by the lockdown restrictions, due to the lack of support available.

"The purpose of this inquiry is to ensure that hard-fought rights are uppermost in decision makers’ minds when responding to this crisis. Our call is open-ended to enable us to monitor the ongoing equalities and human rights impacts, so that steps can be taken to protect those most in need."

The committee acknowledges that this is a fast-moving situation, and so is keen to hear what issues need to be addressed urgently and those that will need to be monitored and reviewed in the medium to longer term.

Click here for further information. There is no set deadline to submit views. The call is openended to enable the committee to monitor any ongoing or emerging equalities and human rights issues, so that steps can be taken to protect those most in need.