Written Question · S5W-29789 · Session 5
Whether it plans to introduce legislation to create a Commissioner for Older People to promote and protect the rights of older people and i…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to introduce legislation to create a Commissioner for Older People to promote and protect the rights of older people and investigate cases affecting their human rights.
The answer
We do not have plans to introduce legislation to create a Commissioner for Older People in Scotland. Our focus continues to be to keep people safe, protect the NHS and save lives, and we are doing that by working with our key partners in the Older People’s Strategic Action Forum. Members of the Forum will also be participating in our new Social Renewal Advisory Board which is focusing on how we will create the change we want through the phases of recovery.
Fairness and human rights will remain at the heart of the Scottish Government’s approach as we work to keep older people safe, cared for and connected, with access to the essentials they need. This has been demonstrated by funding of around £1.7 million to organisations who are directly supporting the needs of older people during the Covid pandemic, including funding for helplines, food distribution and keeping people connected.
Additionally, the work of the National Taskforce for Human Rights Leadership is key to Scotland becoming a world leader on human rights.
The Taskforce will develop proposals for human rights legislation and we will seek to ensure the work of the Taskforce informs our human rights work in the context of COVID-19 recovery. The priority work for the Taskforce will be a statutory human rights framework that gives effect to internationally-recognised human rights in domestic law.
Like every member of society, older people are entitled to all of the rights set out in international human rights treaties which apply to Scotland.
Fairness and human rights will remain at the heart of the Scottish Government’s approach as we work to keep older people safe, cared for and connected, with access to the essentials they need. This has been demonstrated by funding of around £1.7 million to organisations who are directly supporting the needs of older people during the Covid pandemic, including funding for helplines, food distribution and keeping people connected.
Additionally, the work of the National Taskforce for Human Rights Leadership is key to Scotland becoming a world leader on human rights.
The Taskforce will develop proposals for human rights legislation and we will seek to ensure the work of the Taskforce informs our human rights work in the context of COVID-19 recovery. The priority work for the Taskforce will be a statutory human rights framework that gives effect to internationally-recognised human rights in domestic law.
Like every member of society, older people are entitled to all of the rights set out in international human rights treaties which apply to Scotland.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-29789 by reference.