Ministers' boasts of making Scotland the best place in the world to grow up will ring hollow if they fail to ban controversial anti-teenager devices said to break Council of Europe torture laws, according to the Children's Commissioner.
Bruce Adamson said the 'mosquito' devices installed in Hamilton Central station - and the Government's reluctance to ban them - was one of a number of issues undermining a key Scottish Government aim.
“The use of mosquito devices is not compatible with Scotland being the best place in the world to grow up," he said.
“We have had a strong commitment from the Government to make that a reality. But on a number of issues – including the physical punishment of children, the age of criminal responsibility and now this, Government hasn’t provided the level of leadership that we would expect."
The devices, which use high frequency sound which can only be heard by people under 25, to discourage loitering, have been criticised by members of the Scottish Youth Parliament and children's rights activists because they discriminate against young people and fail to distinguish between law-abiding people and would-be troublemakers.
The Scottish Government has previously rejected calls for a ban, although ministers say they disapprove of the technology.
Nevertheless pressure was mounting on Scotrail last night to remove the electronic gadget from Hamilton Central, after ministers said they would contact the company and launched a consultation to seek young people's views.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said ministers would be contacting Scotrail to discuss their use of the device and explore what alternative solutions could be applied.
She added: "The Scottish Government has always been opposed to use of the mosquito device. We do not believe its use is consistent with our approach to tackling antisocial behaviour, nor is it consistent with our desire to promote strong and supportive communities where people’s rights are recognised and respected."
A survey has also been launched, allowing anyone with a Young Scot card to say whether they have been affected by a mosquito or similar devices. The spokeswoman added: "Working with the Scottish Youth Parliament and Young Scot, we are currently gathering the views of young people on mosquito devices via an online survey – and would encourage young people to take part.”
“Their commitment to having a year of Young people in 2018 is very welcome but we don’t have a strong enough commitment from Government to addressing these issues.”
THE Scottish Government is to ask Scotrail bosses about the 'mosquito' anti-teenager device installed at Hamilton Central station, and consult young people about the use of the controversial deterrent.
The device uses high frequency sounds which can only be heard by people under 25, to discourage loitering, but has been criticised by Scotland's Children's Commissioner for being discriminatory and violates EU torture laws.
Ministers have previously resisted acting despite calls for such devices to be banned. In 2013 the Scottish Parliament's petitions committee dropped a petition calling for a ban after Aileen Campbell, then children's minister, made it clear she had no plans to legislate to prevent the devices being installed, despite objecting to their use.
However members of the Scottish Youth Parliament, and children's rights campaigners say the use of the device to address concerns about anti-social behaviour at the Hamilton station is disproportionate and the technology does not discriminate between law-abiding young people and those causing trouble, while Bruce Adamson, the children's commissioner is to raise the issue with Scotrail.
Earlier this week he called on ministers to ban the electronic devices, adding: "The use of such devices is a breach of children’s rights to go about their lives free from discrimination in a healthy and safe way when they use public transport, visit shops or meet their friends. The Scottish Government and public authorities ... must act to ban these devices.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said Scotrail should bow to concerns and remove the devices: “The children's commissioner and many human rights groups have argued that these devices discriminate against children and young people.
“While it’s right for ScotRail to take steps to protect station staff, these devices are not going to stop determined criminals", he said. "Instead they are punishing the vast majority of innocent young people who use the station to get to work or school. ScotRail should swat these Mosquito proposals.”
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