Caithness maternity issues can be discussed at human rights events in Wick and Thurso
The public will have the opportunity to discuss the case for fair maternity healthcare in Caithness at special human rights events earmarked for Wick and Thurso.
As Caithness Health Action Team (CHAT) prepares itself for a United Nations presentation next week to make the case for “fair, equitable, adequate and accessible healthcare” for Caithness mothers and babies, a Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) will visit Wick and Thurso the following week where the issues can be discussed locally.
Members of the SHRC and team members will deliver a series of community empowerment events at the Pentland Hotel on February 17 (2pm-4.30pm) and at the East Caithness Community Facility in Wick on February 18 (2pm-4.30pm). All those interested should register their interest for the free events on Eventbrite at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/human-rights-defenders-community-empowerment-events-tickets-1137642502349
These events follow the publication of a SHRC report on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the Highlands and Islands in November last year. The purpose of these new community engagements is to share these findings and enable human rights defenders working locally to “use human rights to advocate for change in their communities”. The Commission will also be offering to meet with public authorities to provide support and capacity-building on how to take a human rights-based approach.
Professor Angela O’Hagan, chair of the SHRC, said: “The Commission has a general duty to take action to promote human rights for everyone in Scotland.
"We are very concerned about the poor state of economic, social and cultural rights in the Highlands and Islands. Too many people are hungry, homeless, without access to healthcare, and the basics for everyday life.
“With our report, which was published in November, we piloted a new way of monitoring, one that brings the Commission closer to communities and is informed by their voices and experiences.
“We look forward now to engaging further with communities to empower them to use human rights to advocate for change in their local communities in the Highlands and Islands.”
You can read the full report on the SHRC website page at: www.scottishhumanrights.com/projects-and-programmes/spotlight-projects/economic-social-and-cultural-rights-in-the-highlands-and-islands/
The SHRC is Scotland’s human rights watchdog. It is an independent public body, created by the Scottish Commission for Human Rights Act 2006, to protect and promote the human rights of all people in Scotland.