This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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No place for racism in Scotland - Minister
27/03/2007
Scottish Ministers today reaffirmed their determination to crack down on the shameful minority of people in this country who display racist behaviour or commit racist crimes.
Speaking as the Executive published a new bulletin highlighting racist incidents recorded by Scotland's police in the last three years, Ministers highlighted continued community engagement, tough enforcement of the law, and education and awareness raising as key factors in reducing racist behaviour in our communities.
Today's figures show that there were over 5,000 racist incidents recorded by the police in 2005-6 - with over half carried out against people of Asian origin and predominantly carried out on a Friday and Saturday night by white men aged under 20.
Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson is today meeting with representatives of Muslim communities in Scotland - a follow up to the First Minister's recent meeting with Scotland's Imams and Mosque leaders.
Ms Jamieson said:
"Crime in Scotland is falling but, within that improving picture, there remain key issues we need to tackle. Today's figures show that racist crime is one of them. All crimes are an affront to the values we hold dear, but crimes committed against someone because of the colour of their skin or their country of origin are particularly sickening.
"I know that the police and other criminal justice agencies are working hard to provide reassurance and advice to our ethnic minority communities. That has led to more awareness within the police of racist crimes and better recording. In turn there is a greater willingness to report these incidents by the public - though I am sure we are not yet seeing the full picture.
"Earlier this month the Lord Advocate and Strathclyde Police launched a new DVD to further increase the confidence of ethnic minority communities in the criminal justice system and to encourage victims of racist crime to report incidents to the police. The police are building networks with groups and leaders within our ethnic communities - vital when dealing with the aftermath of racist incidents or increased community tensions.
"Much of what our criminal justice system is doing is about building understanding and confidence. But tackling racism also is about challenging those that commit such crimes. The authorities have a key role in that. But we all have a role - as members of the community, as neighbours, or as bystanders - to ensure that people feel safe and welcome in our country and the racist thugs feel both shame and the long arm of the law."
Communities Minister Rhona Brankin said:
"We have long made clear that there can be no place for racism of any kind in Scotland. Our One Scotland campaign and supporting anti-racism work is delivering that message clearly and consistently across the country. And it is making a difference. These statistics show that people are no longer willing to stand by and tolerate racist behaviour or incidents, regardless of whether that's on the street, in our football grounds or in the pub.
"But our aim has to be to eradicate racism in all its forms by transforming attitudes and changing behaviour, and that won't happen overnight. We have to continue raising awareness of the issues, challenging myths and stereotypes and promoting understanding of other cultures, particularly among young people. That will remain one of the central aims of One Scotland."
The bulletin, Racist Incidents Recorded by the Police in Scotland, 2003-4 to 2005-6, is published today. It is the subject of a separate statistical news release also issued by the Scottish Executive.