Human rights body praises 'phenomenal work' in Highlands and Islands

Scotland's independent human rights body has praised the "phenomenal work" being done in the Highlands and Islands to help people on issues ranging from fuel poverty to difficulty in accessing healthcare.

The Scottish Human Rights Commission is speaking to community groups, MSP offices and others across the region and a report will be presented to the Scottish Parliament in the spring of 2024.

The commission's series of meetings in the Highlands and Islands included discussions in Caithness earlier this week.

Luis Felipe Yanes, the organisation's Highlands and Islands project lead, said: “We’ve been in Caithness gathering evidence for a new project on economic, social and cultural rights in the Highlands and Islands, looking at issues such as fuel poverty, digital poverty and problems accessing decent food, clothing, housing and healthcare.

“Over the past few years, the commission has become increasingly concerned about these issues in the Highlands and Islands and particularly how little information is available to monitor human rights in this part of Scotland.

“We are now visiting communities, third sector organisations and MSPs in a series of face-to-face meetings to learn more. We have already spoken to some incredible people who are doing phenomenal work to support those struggling with different issues.

"We’ll be publishing our report on human rights in the Highlands and Islands next year.”

In March, the commission delivered a report to the United Nations in Geneva on how economic, social and cultural rights are being experienced in Scotland. Issues "of particular human rights concern in rural areas of Scotland" included:

• Lack of affordable and quality housing
• Limited access to sufficient and nutritious food
• Inaccessible healthcare services
• Fuel poverty
• Access to technology or poor internet connectivity
• Poverty-related attainment gap in education
• Transport connectivity to essential public services and supplies

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