ALLIANCE signs joint letter calling for equality and human rights to be prioritised in the COVID-19 inquiry

The letter calls on the Scottish Government to outline how it will address the omission of equalities and human rights.

Today, the ALLIANCE has joined with 26 organisations working for equality and human rights in Scotland to write to John Swinney expressing concern following the publication of the Scottish Government’s Terms of Reference for a public inquiry into the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland.

Despite clear evidence raised by equalities groups and by Government itself that that the pandemic has had a greater impact on certain groups of people, the Terms of Reference as published make no reference to equality or human rights impacts stemming from the pandemic. Throughout the document, there is no mention of women, Black and minority ethnic communities, disabled people, people living with long term conditions, unpaid carers, LGBT+ People, older people, young people persons subject to No Recourse to Public Funds, and other groups who experienced the brunt of the pandemic.

COVID-19 – and responses taken to it – has had a profound and disproportionate impact on certain population groups, including women, disabled people, people living with long term conditions, and unpaid carers. ALLIANCE members and partners have identified a wide range of issues within the Scottish Government, local and Integration Authorities, and the third and independent sectors, many of which are pre-existing and have been exacerbated by the pandemic.

It is imperative that we understand fully the intersectional human rights implications of decision making during COVID-19. This must also extend to embedding human rights in participation, communication and analysis processes, as well as the outputs from the inquiry. Crucially, this must ensure that those most affected by the pandemic are at the centre of the inquiry, and that people are heard in an inclusive, accessible and meaningful way.

The letter claims that the Scottish Government have not sufficiently prioritised equality and human rights in measures to respond the pandemic and as a result marginalised groups have been isolated even further from social and economic life. The letter calls on the Scottish Government to outline how it will address the omission of the equalities and human rights issues to ensure that the inquiry understands and makes recommendations to prevent future impacts for groups whose rights are most undermined.

Read the full letter (this link will take you away from our website).

About the COVID-19 inquiry:

The Scottish Government has committed to establishing a public inquiry to examine the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland. The inquiry will follow terms of reference set by the Scottish Government. On the 14 December the Scottish Government announced that Lady Poole had agreed to take on the role of the Chair of the Inquiry.

Prior to the publication of the Terms a call for views from individuals and the public on a Draft Aims and Principles Paper was published on 24 August to underpin stakeholder engagement on the content of the Terms of Reference. Read our response to the Draft Aims and Principles Paper, informed by engagement with our members.

On 14 December 2021, the Terms of Reference were published, accompanied by a letter to Lady Poole and an analysis of the public and stakeholder views on the approach to establishing the public inquiry.

The Terms of Reference are now subject to a period of reflection by the Chair, who may suggest adjustments.

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