1 Foreword This publication presents the findings of a three year project in which the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has reviewed research on the realisation of internationally recognised human rights in Scotland. This is not intended to be a comprehensive ‘state of human rights in Scotland’ report, but a prompt for discussion in the development of Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights. The report suggests that while Scotland has made notable progress, it can do better. It has a relatively strong legal and institutional framework for human rights, some examples of positive strategy and policy direction, but the actual outcomes for people often remain inconsistent. Scotland therefore needs a more systematic approach to assure and not assume the realisation of human rights in practice. Strong human rights based legal and policy frameworks must be translated into more consistent, positive outcomes to which individuals are entitled. The United Nations recommends the adoption of a National Action Plan for Human Rights. National Action Plans are evidence based, developed in an inclusive way and independently monitored. They are concrete plans to fill ‘gaps’, build on good practice and help countries look outwards and move forward. Experience from Nordic and Commonwealth countries, amongst others, shows the potential of this approach to deliver real and sustainable improvements in the realisation of rights for all, particularly the most marginalised. SHRC is facilitating an open and inclusive process of development and monitoring of Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights. This will include a National InterAction (a facilitated negotiation of commitments) on International Human Rights Day, 10 December 2012, and various other opportunities for involvement until March 2013. Preliminary engagement by SHRC with civic society, central and local government and political parties has found support in principle and gives us confidence that agreement on the National Action Plan can be reached in 2013. We invite you to join SHRC in ensuring that Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights leads to significant and sustainable improvements in the way that Scotland assures the realisation of all human rights by everyone. Professor Alan Miller, Chair Professor Kay Hampton, Commissioner Shelagh McCall, Commissioner Matt Smith OBE, Commissioner October 2012 2 Contents Page Foreword 2 Contents Page 3 List of Tables, Boxes and Figures 8 Acknowledgements 9 Executive Summary 10 1: Introduction 32 1.1 Taking a Human Rights Based Approach to Information Gathering: A FAIR Methodology 32 1.2 Summary of Research Methods 33 1.3 Structure of the Report 34 2: Our Human Rights in Context 35 2.1 Introduction 35 2.2 Legal context 35 2.2.1 National Human Rights Institutions 39 2.3 Political context 39 2.4 Economic context 42 2.5 Social context 44 2.5.1 Demographic change 44 2.5.2 Poverty and Inequality 44 2.5.1 Social attitudes 46 2.6 Environmental context 47 2.7 Technological context 47 3. Human Rights Thematic Topics 49 3.1 Dignity and Care 49 3.1.1 Introduction to Dignity and Care 49 3.1.2 Quality of care 51 3.1.2.1 Procurement of Care Services 54 3.1.2.2 Older people 55 3.1.2.3 Children and young people 58 3.1.2.4 Autism 59 3.1.3 Independent living of disabled people 61 3.1.3.1 De-institutionalisation 63 3.1.3.2 Self-Directed Support 64 3.1.3.3 Service delivery 67 3.1.4 Self determination 68 3.1.4.1 Legal capacity 68 3.1.5 Carers’ rights 70 3 3.1.5.1 Policy and strategy responses 71 3.1.5.2 Particular groups of carers 72 3.2 Health 75 3.2.1 Introduction to Health 75 3.2.2 Human rights context 76 3.2.3 Integrating a human rights approach in health law and policy making 78 3.2.3.1 Participation 79 3.2.3.2 Accountability 79 3.2.3.3 Empowerment 82 3.3 Healthcare Quality 82 3.4 Health promotion 86 3.4.1 Lifestyle choices 86 3.5 Non-discrimination within health care service provision 90 3.5.1 Ethnic and religious minorities 91 3.5.2 People with disabilities 93 3.5.3 Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 94 3.5.4 Economic and social situation 96 3.5.5 Access to health care in rural areas 97 3.5.6 Mental Health 97 3.5.6.1 Strategy 97 3.5.6.2 Addressing mental health stigma 98 3.5.6.3 Access to mental health care 99 3.5.6.4 Mental health treatment and care 100 3.5.6.4.1 Dementia Care 102 3.5.6.4.2 Restraint and seclusion 102 3.5.6.4.3 Consent to medication 104 3.3 Where We Live 106 3.3.1 Introduction to Where We Live 106 3.3.2 The Right to Adequate Housing 106 3.3.3 Availability of housing and the elimination of Homelessness 107 3.3.3.1 Available Housing 107 3.3.3.2 Homelessness 108 3.3.3.3 Access to adequate housing for all without discrimination 109 3.3.3.4 Affordability and Security of Tenure 111 3.3.3.5 Habitability 113 3.3.4 Rights of those living in rural areas 115 3.3.4.1 Specific issues in rural areas 117 3.3.4.1.1 Availability of housing 117 3.3.4.1.2 Access to services 117 3.3.4.1.3 Access to remote and rural health care 118 3.3.4.1.4 Transport 119 3.3.5 Where Scottish Gypsy/Travellers Live 122 3.3.5.1 Discrimination against Scottish Gypsy/ Traveller Communities 124 3.4 Education and Work 127 4 3.4.1 Introduction to Education & Work 127 3.4.2 Education 127 3.4.2.1 Access to education 129 3.4.2.1.1 Non-discrimination and equality 129 3.4.2.1.2 Gypsy/Traveller children 130 3.4.2.1.3 Socio-economic status 131 3.4.2.1.4 Higher education 132 3.4.2.2 Inclusive education 132 3.4.3 Work 134 3.4.3.1 Access to and fair treatment at work 135 3.4.3.1.2 Access to Employment for Disabled People and People with Mental Health Conditions 135 3.4.3.1.2 Migrant workers and ethnic minorities 138 3.4.3.1.3 Employment rights of parents 140 3.4.3.1.4 Access to Employment for Asylum Seekers 142 3.4.3.2 Fair Pay 142 3.4.3.2.1 The Gender Pay Gap 142 3.4.3.2.2 Pursuing poverty reduction by paying fairly 143 3.5 Private and Family Life 145 3.5.1 Introduction to Private and Family Life 145 3.5.2 Domestic Abuse 145 3.5.2.1 Terminology 145 3.5.2.2 International Law 146 3.5.2.3 Domestic Law 147 3.5.2.4 Scottish Policy Development 148 3.5.2.5 The Minority Experience 150 3.5.2.6 Funding concerns 153 3.5.3 Forced marriage 154 3.5.4 Same-sex marriage 155 3.5.5 Right to family life of people with learning disabilities 155 3.5.6 The rights of parents and children 159 3.5.7 Parental imprisonment 161 3.6 Safety and Security 164 3.6.1 Introduction to Safety & Security 164 3.6.2 Asylum 164 3.6.3 Offences aggravated by prejudice 167 3.6.3.1 Hate crime in general 168 3.6.3.2 Sexual orientation and Transgender identity 169 3.6.3.3 Disability 170 3.6.3.4 Race and religion 171 3.6.3.5 Sectarianism 172 3.6.3.6 Tackling Hate Crime in Scotland 174 3.6.4 Abuse: prevention, protection and response 175 3.6.5 Human Trafficking 177 3.6.5.1 Tackling Human Trafficking in Scotland 180 3.6.6 Policing 180 3.7 Living in Detention 187 5 3.7.1 Introduction to Living in Detention 187 3.7.2 Conditions in detention 187 3.7.2.1 General conditions 187 3.7.2.2 Addiction 191 3.7.2.3 Access to healthcare & mental health services 191 3.7.2.4 Suicides/deaths in custody 192 3.7.3 Mental Health Detention 193 3.7.4 Women in Detention 197 3.7.5 Young People in Detention/ Secure Accommodation 198 3.7.5.1 Asylum seeking children 200 3.8 Access to Justice and the Right to Effective Remedy 202 3.8.1 Introduction to Access to Justice and the Right to Remedy 202 3.8.2 Legal Advice 202 3.8.2.1 The Sufficiency of Legal Advice 204 3.8.2.2 Periods of Detention 204 3.8.2.3 When Should a Suspect’s Right to Legal Assistance Arise? 206 3.8.2.4 Waiver of Rights 206 3.8.2.5 Inference from Silence 207 3.8.3 Cost & Standing 208 3.8.3.1 Legal Aid 208 3.8.3.1.1 Access to Legal Aid 208 3.8.3.1.2 Financial Contributions in Criminal Legal Aid 209 3.8.3.1.3 The Effects of Cost Cutting 210 3.8.3.1.4 Public Interest & Legal Aid 211 3.8.3.1.3.1 Standing in Public Interest Litigation 211 3.8.4 Equality of Arms 213 3.8.5 Access to Justice for Particular Groups 215 3.8.5.1 Disabled People 215 3.8.5.2 Survivors of Domestic Abuse 217 3.8.5.3 Asylum Seekers and immigrants 218 3.8.5.4 Questioning ‘Vulnerable’ Suspects 218 3.8.5.5 ‘Vulnerable’ Witnesses 219 3.8.6 Appeals 220 3.8.6.1 Current Law 220 3.8.6.2 Role of the UK Supreme Court on review of human rights issues in Scots criminal cases 222 3.8.7 Investigations & Corroboration 223 3.8.7.1 Investigations 223 3.8.8 Corroboration 224 3.8.9 Juvenile Justice 225 3.8.9.1 Child Suspects 225 3.8.9.2 Age of Criminal Responsibility 226 3.8.9.3 Children’s Hearings 227 3.8.9.4 Legal Aid 228 3.8.10 Victims’/Survivors’ Rights & the Right to Remedy 229 3.8.10.1 Victims’/Survivors’ Rights 229 6 3.8.10.2 Right to Remedy 231 3.8.10.3 Effective Apologies 232 3.8.11 Time Limits 232 3.8.11.1 Prescription & Limitation 232 3.8.11.2 Remedies for Historic Child Abuse 233 4: Discussion & Key Messages 235 4.1 Introduction 235 4.2 Structural steps 236 4.3 Process steps 237 4.4 Outcomes 238 5.