Scotland falling short on essential human rights

The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has said that essential human rights are out of reach for many people in Scotland.

The State of the Nation 2025 Report focuses on economic, social and cultural rights, the rights that ensure everyone can live with dignity, rights to adequate housing, health, social security, food, and fair working conditions.

The SHRC presented the report to MSPs at Holyrood last Wednesday 10th December, Human Rights Day.

The SHRC highlights 10 areas where Scotland is falling short of its human rights obligations. These are as follows:

  • The provision of healthcare across Scotland is not always available when and where people need it.
  • The support for people with learning disabilities and autism to live in their own homes is inadequate.
  • Disability-related social security entitlements do not provide a decent standard of living for disabled people and are at risk of retrogression.
  • A housing crisis is denying people across Scotland access to safe, affordable and adequate housing.
  • Changes to the UK welfare system disadvantage the most marginalised people and families
  • High levels of food insecurity and unaffordability mean that people in Scotland are hungry and not fully nourished.
  • Caregiving responsibilities for children, disabled people and older people are not fairly distributed or recognised.
  • Basic daily essentials that keep us safe and warm are unaffordable
  • People cannot access effective justice or remedies when their ESC rights are not realised.
  • The budget allocated to food programmes, social security, housing, health, education, employment services and other areas related to ESC rights is inadequate.

Professor Angela O’Hagan, chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission said: “Economic, social and cultural rights are the foundations of a dignified life, but for many people in Scotland these rights remain out of reach. People are struggling to heat their homes, feed their families, or access basic services, and this is fuelling real frustration and tension across our communities.

“At times like these, human rights matter more than ever. They provide the framework that requires public bodies to act fairly, protect people’s dignity, and direct resources to those who need them most. The most effective way to rebuild trust and reduce anger is to make these rights a lived reality for everyone.

“This report is a clear call to action. We urge the Scottish Parliament and all public bodies to use its findings to make better decisions about legislation, budgeting and service delivery. Human rights set the minimum standards that people in Scotland should be able to depend on, especially during tough times.”

Anthony Horan, CPO Director, said: “The Scottish Government and MSPs of all political stripes often talk about their unequivocal support for human rights. That vocal support is, however, not being converted into practical action and help for some of the most vulnerable in our communities.

“This isn’t about luxury, it’s about the essentials: food, a roof over their heads, and basic healthcare. It simply is not good enough.”

Mr Horan also pointed to two glaring omissions from the report, adding: “The continued failure to protect innocent life in the womb from abortion is a hideous stain on our nation’s human rights record. What hope for Scotland when those in authority refuse to recognise the inviolable right to life of the smallest, weakest, and most vulnerable among us?

“The criminalising of peaceful prayer around hospitals and clinics where abortions are carried out is another example of how desperately anti-human rights Scotland has become, with one MSP admitting that a person could even be criminalised for praying in their own home within a designated zone.”