Ian Duddy

It also said it was pleased the terms of reference for the inquiry will be changed to ensure it takes a human rights based approach, as announced by Deputy First Minister John Swinney.

Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, Ian Duddy, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic impacted on everyone’s human rights, bringing loss of life, bereavement, long-term health impacts and loss of livelihood for many, and unprecedented restrictions on everyone’s personal freedoms. We know that some groups felt that impact more acutely and disproportionately than others.

“A human rights based inquiry means the lessons learned should be truly informed by those most affected, as well as international human rights laws and standards.

“We welcome the statement from Deputy First Minister John Swinney that there is now a joint commitment, between Scottish ministers and the new chair, that the Scottish Covid-19 inquiry will take a ‘person-centred, human rights based approach, to ensure that every person and organisation taking part can meaningfully participate, be treated fairly and be empowered to take part’.

“We now urge the Scottish government to ensure that the inquiry has all the resources it needs to fulfil this commitment, to establish meaningful accountability for actions during the pandemic response and to publicly confirm that it will respond in full to all the recommendations when they are made.”