The Scottish Human Rights Commission and Nourish Scotland are today (Friday 22 November) launching a new animation on the Right to Food in Scotland. The 90 second animation explains what the Right to Food means, and what’s needed to make it real for people in Scotland. The animation echoes previous calls made by both organisations to put the Right to Food directly into Scotland’s laws.
Judith Robertson, Chair of the Commission, said:
“Everyone in Scotland has the right to food – this is set out in international human rights laws that Scotland is signed up to. We know there is interest across Scotland about what the right to food means in practice, and how we can make sure it is a reality for everyone.
“This kind of awareness-raising is an important part of the Commission’s wider work on advancing economic and social rights, which also includes our ongoing contribution to the Scottish Government’s National Taskforce for Human Rights Leadership.”
Pete Ritchie, Executive Director of Nourish Scotland, said:
“In Scotland, in 2019, the right to food is hollow for too many people. Food bank use continues to rise. The Scottish Government’s figures on food insecurity show that worrying about running out of food is now commonplace.
“Scottish Government can take action. It can put the right to food into Scots law. This won’t close food banks overnight. But it will set us on a path of joined up policy to make sure that everyone has reliable access to healthy and sustainable food for themselves and their family.
Produced by Media Co-op, the animation was developed with input and advice from people who face barriers in accessing their right to food, people involved in producing food, and people involved in community food projects around Scotland.
The animation will be launched on Friday 22 November at the closing session of Nourish Scotland’s Annual Conference. It will also be shared throughout the day on social media using the hashtag #RightToFood.
For more information: contact Emma Hutton 07833 402289 or emma.hutton@scottishhumanrights.com
