 COVID-19 and Equalities and Human Rights in Scotland Call for views, Overview COVID-19 has affected everyone in Scotland, but has it affected some people more than others? Are Equalities and Human Rights affected? Equality is about making sure everybody has an equal chance to make the most of their lives and talents. It is also the belief that no one should have poorer life chances because of the way they were born, where they come from, what they believe or whether they have a disability. Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death. They apply regardless of where you are from, what you believe or how you choose to live your life. The Scottish Parliament's Equalities and Human Rights Committee wants to know which people and groups are most affected by COVID-19. It also wants to know if what the Scottish Government and other bodies such as councils and health boards are doing is affecting equalities and human rights. If equalities and human rights are being affected, what needs to be done to lessen the impact? The committee is looking for your views on these questions. What you say will help it monitor what is happening so steps can be taken to help those most affected.