Parliamentary screening for powerful films on human rights, health and care

A series of short films will been shown at the Scottish Parliament today highlighting the power of human rights to improve people’s health and the care and support they access.

The Scottish Human Rights Commission, the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) and NHS Health Scotland joined forces to produce the films, which were made as part of Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights (SNAP).

The five short films share people’s experiences of using human rights to challenge and improve the quality of the health and care services they use. The films highlight how human rights have been used in dementia care, mental health detention, advocacy, youth work and services for disabled people.

Featuring interviews with people whose rights have been affected, as well as charities and voluntary organisations that work with them, the films are a practical resource to help organisations providing services to embed human rights in their work.

Duncan McNeil MSP, Convenor of the Health and Sport Committee, supported the special screening at the Scottish Parliament today. He said: “The Committee is very interested in the many ways human rights can improve services in Scotland. The event today will bring to life the experiences people have had as they challenge the status quo around health and social care, and bring human rights closer to home.”

The films are part of a new website that brings together materials and information for anyone interested in human rights in health and social care.

Kavita Chetty, Head of Strategy for the Scottish Human Rights Commission, said:

“The Commission is delighted to help bring human rights to life through people’s own experiences. These films tell exactly the kind of real life stories that we know can help raise awareness and understanding of human rights. We’re delighted to have the opportunity to share these with MSPs at the Scottish Parliament today.”

ENDS

For media enquiries including interviews with the film participants, please contact Emma Hutton on 07833 402289 oremma.hutton@scottishhumanrights.com

Notes to Editors

  1. The five films are available online and have previously been shared on social media using the hashtags #rightsforlife and #humanrightsstories. They feature stories from people using services provided by HUG (Action for Mental Health), Roshni, C-Change, Dementia Carer Voices and the Advocacy Project. 
  2. Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights (SNAP) was launched on 10 December 2013. SNAP brings together a wide range of public bodies and civil society organisations, as well as national and local government, to work on improving human rights in people’s everyday lives, building a better human rights culture and fulfilling Scotland’s international human rights obligations.
  3. 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.
  4. The Health and Social Care Alliance is Scotland (the ALLIANCE) is a third sector organisation representing over 1,000 members and holds an influential position as strategic partner, and critical friend, of the Scottish Government. The ALLIANCE’s vision is for a Scotland where people of all ages who are disabled or living with long term conditions, and unpaid carers, have a strong voice and enjoy their right to live well, as equal and active citizens, free from discrimination, with support and services that put them at the centre.
  5. NHS Health Scotland is a national Health Board working with public, private and third sectors to reduce health inequalities and improve health.  For further information please go to www.healthscotland.com and follow on twitter @NHS_HS