Commission welcomes Carers (Scotland) Bill proposals

The Scottish Human Rights Commission has welcomed the proposals put forward in the Carers (Scotland) Bill towards enhancing carers’ rights.

In evidence to the Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee, the Commission welcomes the Bill’s proposals as a means of enhancing carers’ rights to access support, as well as ensuring that carers are aware of their rights to do so.

Cathy Asante, Legal Officer for the Commission, said:

“The current Bill is a positive step towards making human rights a reality in the lives of the many people throughout Scotland who have caring responsibilities.

“The Bill presents an opportunity to address the challenges faced by carers by taking a human rights based approach to supporting them. This involves action to help empower carers to know and claim their human rights, as well as improving the ability and accountability of individuals, organisations and relevant professionals who are responsible for respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights.”

While welcoming the Bill as a whole, the Commission also draws attention to areas where it could be improved. These include ensuring that all carers, in all areas of the country and including kinship carers, benefit from the proposed changes on an equal basis.

Notes

1. The Scottish Human Rights Commission is an independent public body with a statutory remit to promote and protect all human rights for everyone in Scotland. The Commission is accredited as an ‘A Status’ national human rights institution within the UN system.
2. The Commission’s written evidence was submitted as part of the as part of the Stage 1 consideration of the Scottish Government’s Carers (Scotland) Bill. You can read the submission here.
3. The Commission has developed a training and awareness programme called Care about Rights which highlights the importance of human rights in older people’s care and support services.