Basic human rights are not being supported

New research has uncovered how Roma people in the Govanhill area of Glasgow are being denied their right to adequate housing.

Community researchers from the Roma rights group Romano Lav asked local people to record their experiences of housing in the area. Some of those taking part reported shocking conditions including damp, mould, and pest infestations. One participant reported that their home was infested by cockroaches ‘climbing on us and the children’.

Some 60% of respondents classed their home as poor or very poor, with just 16% rating it as good. Around a quarter of people said they had problems with mice or rat infestations.

The research found that poor housing is badly affecting the physical and mental health of families. Most participants reported that they had no knowledge of housing support services in their local area.

A spokesperson for Romano Lav said: “It is crucial that the voices of Roma people are heard in research like this. Housing is a human right, and proper, affordable housing is essential for everyone to be able to lay the foundation of living healthy and happy lives. We at Romano Lav look forward to this report being an important step in the direction towards a more fair and equal society.”

The research was supported by the Poverty Alliance as part of its Rights in Action project. The charity’s research officer Dr Paul Pearson said it showed how the Scottish Government needs to do more to support the delivery of human rights.   

Dr Pearson said: “In September this year, the Scottish Government backtracked on their commitment to deliver a new Human Rights Bill in this parliamentary term. That Bill could have helped support people to realise their economic, social and cultural rights

“The report shares recommendations for both Glasgow City Council, housing providers and Scottish Government to ensure that the Roma community has access to both adequate housing and a healthy environment. The need for better housing provision in Govanhill is clear, with more investment in affordable housing for families’ imperative. The report also calls for investment in local communities to ensure people are aware of their rights and to improve local parks for families.”

The Rights in Action project is funded by the Scottish Government's Equality and Human Rights Fund, managed and supported by Inspiring Scotland, and trains people in local communities in ways to use their human rights as a lever for policy change to tackle poverty and inequality.