Our letter to COSLA (Scotland)
To Sally Loudon, Chief Executive, COSLA
The war in Ukraine and some issues for local authorities in Scotland
As Britain’s National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), the Equality and Human Rights Commission has been in contact with our partners across Europe about the war in Ukraine. I am writing with information that might be helpful for COSLA and local authorities in Scotland as you and your members take forward your statutory duties, and your responsibilities under the public sector equality duty of the Equality Act 2010 to eliminate discrimination, advance equality and foster good relations.
First, you will not be surprised that equality bodies and NHRIs in other European countries report that some public services are struggling to respond to the needs of people fleeing Ukraine. These include barriers to housing, education (such as dedicated language support), and healthcare including fertility and abortion services. While many councils in Scotland have experience in supporting migrants to integrate into communities and secure the specialised services they may require, they will need to remain vigilant to these concerns and take appropriate steps to respond to this crisis too.
Second, more worryingly, our European counterparts report an increase in discrimination against Ukrainian and Russian communities, including Russian-speaking communities and people perceived to be Russian, whether they are recent arrivals or have lived in their communities for generations. They report increases in anti-refugee sentiment aimed at people fleeing Ukraine. There are also allegations that Russians and Russian speakers have been fired or evicted due to their nationality, or asked publicly to denounce the actions of the Russian government.
And third, similar discrimination has been reported against refugees from Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities, who have faced prejudice that they are not ‘real Ukrainians’ and difficulty in accessing vital services and accommodation.
These issues may impact some local authorities in Scotland, especially if the numbers of migrants from Ukraine (and other countries) increase. I know that the COSLA already provides information and support to councils on these and related matters, and you may wish to bring this advice to your members’ attention. You are welcome to get in touch with us if we can provide further assistance, or if you or your members have information on these issues that you may wish to a share with us.
I am writing in similar terms to the LGA and WLGA.
Yours sincerely,
Marcial Boo
Chief Executive Officer
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Our letter to the Local Government Association in England
To Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive, Local Government Association
The war in Ukraine and some issues for local authorities in England
As Britain’s National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), the Equality and Human Rights Commission has been in contact with our partners across Europe about the war in Ukraine. I am writing with information that might be helpful for the Local Government Association (LGA) and local authorities in England as you and your members take forward your statutory duties, and your responsibilities under the public sector equality duty of the Equality Act 2010 to eliminate discrimination, advance equality and foster good relations.
First, you will not be surprised that equality bodies and NHRIs in other European countries report that some public services are struggling to respond to the needs of people fleeing Ukraine. These include barriers to housing, education (such as dedicated language support), and healthcare including fertility and abortion services. While many councils in England have experience in supporting migrants to integrate into communities and secure the specialised services they may require, they will need to remain vigilant to these concerns and take appropriate steps to respond to this crisis too.
Second, more worryingly, our European counterparts report an increase in discrimination against Ukrainian and Russian communities, including Russian-speaking communities and people perceived to be Russian, whether they are recent arrivals or have lived in their communities for generations. They report increases in anti-refugee sentiment aimed at people fleeing Ukraine. There are also allegations that Russians and Russian speakers have been fired or evicted due to their nationality, or asked publicly to denounce the actions of the Russian government.
And third, similar discrimination has been reported against refugees from Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities, who have faced prejudice that they are not ‘real Ukrainians’ and difficulty in accessing vital services and accommodation.
These issues may impact some local authorities in England, especially if the numbers of migrants from Ukraine (and other countries) increase. I know that the LGA already provides information and support to councils on these and related matters, and you may wish to bring this advice to your members’ attention. You are welcome to get in touch with us if we can provide further assistance, or if you or your members have information on these issues that you may wish to a share with us.
I am writing in similar terms to the WLGA and COSLA.
Yours sincerely,
Marcial Boo
Chief Executive Officer
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Ein llythyr at Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru
I Chris Llewelyn, Prif Weithredwr, Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru
Y rhyfel yn Wcrain a rhai materion i awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru
Fel Sefydliad Hawliau Dynol Cenedlaethol Prydain (NHRI), mae’r Comisiwn Cydraddoldeb a Hawliau Dynol wedi bod mewn cysylltiad â’n partneriaid ledled Ewrop ynghylch y rhyfel yn Wcrain.
Rwy’n ysgrifennu gyda gwybodaeth a allai fod o gymorth i Gymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru (CLlLC) ac awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru wrth i chi a’ch aelodau fwrw ymlaen â’ch dyletswyddau statudol, a’ch cyfrifoldebau o dan ddyletswydd cydraddoldeb y sector cyhoeddus yn Neddf Cydraddoldeb 2010 i ddileu.
Yn gyntaf, ni fyddwch yn synnu bod cyrff cydraddoldeb a NHRI mewn gwledydd Ewropeaidd eraill yn adrodd bod rhai gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn cael trafferth ymateb i anghenion pobl sy’n ffoi o’r Wcráin.
Mae’r rhain yn cynnwys rhwystrau i dai, addysg (fel cymorth iaith penodol), a gofal iechyd gan gynnwys gwasanaethau ffrwythlondeb ac erthyliad.
Er bod gan lawer o gynghorau yng Nghymru brofiad o gefnogi ymfudwyr i integreiddio i gymunedau a sicrhau’r gwasanaethau arbenigol y gallai fod eu hangen arnynt, bydd angen iddynt fod yn wyliadwrus o’r pryderon hyn a chymryd camau priodol i ymateb i’r argyfwng hwn hefyd.
Yn ail, ac yn fwy pryderus, mae ein cymheiriaid Ewropeaidd yn adrodd am gynnydd mewn gwahaniaethu yn erbyn cymunedau Wcreineg a Rwsiaidd, gan gynnwys cymunedau sy'n siarad Rwsieg a phobl y canfyddir eu bod yn Rwseg, p'un a ydynt wedi cyrraedd yn ddiweddar neu wedi byw yn eu cymunedau ers cenedlaethau.
Maen nhw'n adrodd am gynnydd mewn teimladau gwrth-ffoaduriaid sydd wedi'u hanelu at bobl sy'n ffoi o'r Wcráin.
Mae yna hefyd honiadau bod Rwsiaid a siaradwyr Rwsieg wedi colli eu swyddi neu wedi eu troi allan o’u cartrefi oherwydd eu cenedligrwydd, neu bod gofyn iddynt yn gyhoeddus i wadu gweithredoedd llywodraeth Rwseg.
Ac yn drydydd, mae gwahaniaethu tebyg wedi’i adrodd yn erbyn ffoaduriaid o gymunedau Sipsiwn, Roma a Theithwyr, sydd wedi wynebu rhagfarn nad ydyn nhw’n ‘Wcrainiaid go iawn’ ac sy’n ei chael hi’n anodd cael mynediad at wasanaethau a llety hanfodol.
Gallai’r materion hyn effeithio ar rai awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru, yn enwedig os bydd nifer yr ymfudwyr o’r Wcráin (a gwledydd eraill) yn cynyddu.
Gwn fod CLlLC eisoes yn darparu gwybodaeth a chymorth i gynghorau ar y materion hyn a materion cysylltiedig, ac efallai yr hoffech ddwyn y cyngor hwn i sylw eich aelodau.
Mae croeso i chi gysylltu â ni os gallwn ddarparu rhagor o gymorth, neu os oes gennych chi neu'ch aelodau wybodaeth am y materion hyn y dymunwch ei rhannu â ni.
Rwy'n ysgrifennu yn yr un modd at yr LGA a COSLA.
Yr eiddoch yn gywir,
Marcial Boo
Prif Weithredwr
Comisiwn Cydraddoldeb a Hawliau Dyno
