Welfare reform and austerity measures are blighting the lives of disadvantaged Scots and breaching their human rights, according to Scottish experts.

The Scottish Human Rights Commission said changes to benefits and austerity driven cuts amounted to discrimination against women, disabled people and ethnic minorities, because they were disproportionately affected.

The claims came in a report submitted by the SHRC to the United Nations, setting out ways in which people in Scotland’s economic, social and cultural rights are not being met.

The report has been submitted as part of a review taking place this week in Geneva, by the UN Committee for the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

The effect of cuts on pensioners on low incomes is also highlighted in the report which says Scotland's new tax, welfare and borrowing powers could prove to be an important tool in better realising people's rights.

Judith Robertson, Chair of the SHRC, said: “We all have the same rights – to work, to an adequate standard of living, to health, education and housing. Unfortunately poverty, poor health, economic inequality, insecure employment and everyday discrimination still blight too many people’s lives in Scotland. These are human rights issues and must be tackled by Scotland’s politicians and public authorities as such.”

She said that the Scottish Government had made progress, and the Scottish Parliament had backed Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights (SNAP), but faster progress is needed.

Judith Robertson continued: “Human rights in Scotland are at an important juncture – there is much good work to build on, but a long way to go before we can say with confidence that everyone in Scotland enjoys their full range of human rights equally. With new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament, the Commission will be sharpening its focus on ensuring our Governments and public authorities meet their human rights obligations.”

The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will publish its findings on Scotland and the UK’s implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) in July.