« Previous | Contents | Next »
Listen
More New Initiatives
George Lyon MSP
Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Service Reform and Parliamentary Business
Bigoted sectarian behaviour is not confined to a single area of Scottish life, and, because of this, we must challenge bigotry wherever it is found. The work that the Scottish Executive is taking forward to tackle sectarian bigotry is not limited to the four areas described in the previous chapters, and in this final section I would like to highlight some other areas where positive actions will help to take forward the anti-sectarian agenda.
In recognition of the fact that tackling sectarianism cuts across many policy areas we have brought five of the key portfolio Ministers together to form a Ministerial Delivery Group on Tackling Sectarianism. The Group has been established to monitor progress being made on tackling sectarianism in Scotland and provide a clear policy steer on this work to ensure that a joined-up approach is being taken, and that all relevant departments playing an active role in delivering the Executive's objectives. The Group is chaired by Cathy Jamieson, Minister for Justice, and the membership is made up of myself, Patricia Ferguson, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Robert Brown, Deputy Minister for Education and Young People and Johann Lamont, Deputy Minister for Communities.
The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland ( ACPOS) also continues to play a key role in driving forward work to tackle sectarianism and the wider issues of religious hatred in Scotland. In April 2004, ACPOS launched a Diversity Strategy, which provides a framework to tackle, amongst other things, religious prejudice and religious hatred. All police forces in Scotland have been implementing this strategy and work is also being taken forward to provide closer liaison between the Scottish Police Service, key representatives of major religious groups in Scotland, the Executive, Education Services and other agencies with responsibility in this area.
In June 2003 Section 74 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 came into force allowing for an offence to be proved to have been aggravated by religious prejudice. November 2004 saw the publication of results from a Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service ( COPFS) survey of 108 reports of the Section 74 aggravation from the first 6-month period of the new law. The majority of these reports related to intra-Christian sectarianism and by the end of April 2005 over 400 of these aggravated charges had been received from the police. Further analysis of the data held by COPFS will help to build our understanding of sectarian-related offences and we are working with COPFS to provide this.
In partnership with COPFS we will review the reports received under the Section 74 aggravation for the period 1 January 2004 to 30 June 2005 and provide an in-depth analysis of cases throughout this period by mid-2006.
(ACTION 16)
While legislation enables the authorities to take action, we are conscious that legislation alone will not change attitudes. That is why we particularly value the contribution that all of our partner bodies - regardless of whether they are public, private or voluntary organisations - who are able to reach areas of Scottish society that we may not have easy access to and help to spread the anti-sectarian message as widely as possible.
One of our partner organisations which has embraced the anti-sectarian agenda, and is leading on an initiative to address sectarianism, is the Scottish Trades Union Congress ( STUC). We have a history of working in partnership with business organisations and the trade unions to help address discrimination, promote inclusion and lifelong learning, and to deliver sustained economic growth and prosperity for all Scots. As part of this work we want to send a clear message that sectarianism is not acceptable in the workplace, which is why we are joining forces with Sense Over Sectarianism ( SOS) to fund the STUC to research the extent of sectarian incidents and behaviours in Scottish workplaces. With the co-operation and support of main business organisations this piece of work will help to identify how we can take positive actions to tackle workplace sectarianism.
Together with SOS, we will fund the STUC to carry out research into the effect of sectarianism in the workplace and to make recommendations as to how any identified problems might be addressed. The research will be completed by September 2006.
(ACTION 17)
Of course, the Executive is not exempt from considering how to tackle bigotry in the workplace and that is why we published our Equality Strategy in 2000. The strategy focuses on three strategic objectives: making better policy and providing better services; promoting equal opportunities and tackling discrimination; and being a good employer. I see it as essential that we continue the work to tackle all forms of discrimination, including sectarianism, and integrate an equality perspective into all areas of our work and we will continue to strive to do this.
We have already recognised that tackling sectarianism is a long-term objective and we need to look at how we can continue to the momentum that has begun. To do this, we will bring together practitioners who are currently involved in taking anti-sectarian initiatives and establish a Task Group on Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland. The Group will map out the work which is currently being taken forward, identify gaps and look at the scope for possible future areas of work. To allow the Group to explore the potential for positive interventions in any area identified, their remit will be kept broad and they will be asked to report back to the Ministerial Delivery Group on Tackling Sectarianism with their recommendations.
The Task Group will be established early in 2006. The Group will make recommendations on new areas and initiatives where positive action can be taken to tackle sectarianism. The Group will also produce a report on its activities one year after inception.
(ACTION 18)
« Previous | Contents | Next »