On Thursday, 19 June, the Scottish Parliament opened its doors for a cross-party Eid Al-Adha reception, marking one of the most important festivals in the Islamic calendar with an evening of reflection, solidarity, and shared purpose.
Sponsored by Foysol Choudhury MSP (Labour), Dr Pam Gosal MSP (Conservative), and Willie Rennie MSP (Liberal Democrat), the event was held in the Garden Lobby and brought together MSPs, diplomats, faith leaders, and community members to recognise the contributions of Scotland’s Muslim communities and reaffirm Parliament’s commitment to equality and inclusion.
The First Minister said: “Today in Parliament, Foysol and I reflected on the legacy of Sir Geoff Palmer, a pioneer of kindness, inclusion, and tolerance in Scotland. In his spirit, I want to reaffirm my belief in a Scotland where we come together, across all backgrounds, to build communities grounded in respect, understanding, and the common good.
“At a time of anxiety and fear for many in the Muslim community, let me make it absolutely clear: as First Minister of Scotland, I believe in an inclusive Scotland, where people from all backgrounds come together to build a society rooted in kindness, harmony, and shared purpose.”
Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “Events like this are a reminder to celebrate our differences and walk together as one toward a more tolerant Scotland.
“Racism and prejudice still exist across all communities, and it is our collective responsibility to build a country where everyone can thrive, regardless of background.”
The event drew wide support, with MSPs in attendance including Neil Bibby, Liam Kerr, Sharon Dowey, Patrick Harvie (Co-Leader of the Scottish Green Party), Kaukab Stewart (Minister for Equalities), and newly elected Davy Russell, demonstrating cross-party backing for an inclusive, pluralist Scotland.
Dignitaries and special guests also joined the occasion, including Summar Javed, Consul General of Pakistan in Glasgow; the Deputy Consul General of Turkey; and Dr Adrees, Chair of the Muslim Council of Scotland, highlighting the significance of the event both nationally and internationally.
Mr Choudhury extended his best wishes to those unable to attend, including Alison Johnstone, the Presiding Officer; Russell Findlay MSP, Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party; and Anas Sarwar MSP, Leader of the Labour Party—each recognised for their leadership in promoting civic engagement, cohesion and justice.
Organised in partnership with the Muslim Council of Scotland and the Consulate of Pakistan in Glasgow, the evening served as a powerful reminder of how public institutions can foster unity, particularly in times of global uncertainty.
The event was a significant moment for Scotland’s Muslim community, offering a welcoming space to celebrate culture, faith, and the invaluable contributions Muslims make to public life. It also created a meaningful opportunity for dialogue, connection, and recognition, underscoring Scotland’s ongoing commitment to equality, mutual respect, and community cohesion.
Foysol Choudhury added: “Since I was elected in 2021, I’ve been passionate about promoting anti-racist education, whether that’s through my work with the Cross-Party Group on Racial and Religious Prejudice or by supporting community events that bring people together to celebrate their heritage.
!This is something I care deeply about, and I’ll keep working to build a more inclusive and understanding Scotland.”
In his closing remarks, Willie Rennie said: “Tonight is all about diversity and coming together. Without Foysol in the Parliament, I don’t think that voice would be nearly as strong as it is.”
An Edinburgh resident delivered hundreds of handmade stars crafted from empty crisp packets to the Scottish Parliament yesterday [19 June] to demand more action on recycling.
Jenny Kerr, a maths and learning support teacher, made the stars to remind all MSPs that, as the global plastic crisis worsens, Scotland must do more to manage problem plastics like crisp packets. This comes as global negotiations to end plastic pollution as due to be concluded this summer
Jenny has made each of the stars herself. She started making stars out of paper over 40 years ago when a Danish friend taught her how to make the traditional Scandinavian Christmas decoration. Last year, Jenny switched to making the stars out of crisp packets after learning more about plastic waste.
Crisp packets are a type of soft plastic, which is much more difficult and expensive to recycle than other materials. Soft plastics make up over a quarter of post-consumer packaging waste in the UK, but only 7% is recycled.
In August 2025, international negotiations will take place on the final version of a Global Plastics Treaty to end plastic pollution. Plastic contributes to climate breakdown, it harmful to human health and damages wildlife.
Without a treaty, the harms of plastics will escalate, as plastic production is expected to double by 2040.
The UK is part of the high ambition coalition, a group of over 100 countries fighting for a strong treaty. Last year, the First Minister, John Swinney MSP, stated that the Scottish Government fully supported the Global Plastics Treaty.
However, measures required to end Scotland’s dependency on plastics, such as investment in reuse and banning the burning of plastic waste, have not be acted on by the Scottish Government.
Jenny said: “Since embarking on a project to raise money for a local charity by making 1000 stars out of crisp packets this year, I have been almost overwhelmed by donations of empty packets from friends and colleagues, keen to find a use for this waste material.
“People have been shocked to learn that, despite claims by the manufacturers on the packets, crisp packets are not currently recyclable in Scotland.
“We have an addiction to the convenience of these snacks, and the waste must be dealt with. I hope these stars will encourage our MSPs to consider this serious global issue, ahead of international discussions to finalise a Global Plastics Treaty in August, and prioritise taking action in Scotland.”
Kim Pratt, Senior Circular Economy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “Companies are choosing to sell products like crisps in non-recyclable plastic. This cheap packaging boosts corporate profits but it’s terrible for the planet. Very little plastic packaging is ever recycled.
“The best way of dealing with soft plastics is not to make them in the first place. This approach requires meaningful government commitment to a future with less plastic. We urgently need these companies to stop producing so much plastic and find safe and sustainable alternatives where necessary.”
There are no soft plastic recycling facilities in Scotland. In 2023, a soft plastics recycling plant, co-owned by Morrisons and built with £470,000 investment from the Scottish Government, was opened in Fife but was forced to close only a few months later.
This means all the soft plastic rubbish collected in Scotland must be landfilled, burned or exported. Much of it ends up as litter or dumped in the ocean where it breaks down to microplastics.
Scientific studies are increasingly linking microplastics to an array of health impacts including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, auto-immune conditions and neuro-degenerative diseases.
The Scottish Government has committed to simplifying crofting law. This first phase of legislation seeks to “correct known anomalies” in the current legislation. The Scottish Government also acknowledges that a future conversation to consider more fundamental changes may be needed.
This phase 1 Bill would aim to:
help more people become crofters and better support existing crofters and their activities and businesses;
enable more and different activity to be undertaken on common grazings, including peatland restoration and other environmental initiatives;
empower the Crofting Commission to tackle breaches of duty through streamlined processes, and;
resolve crofting regulatory issues more quickly through new and revised powers for Crofting Commission.
The Bill would also merge the Scottish Land Court and Lands Tribunal for Scotland.
Launching the call for views, Committee Convener, Finlay Carson MSP, said: “The Scottish Government is clear that, although more fundamental reform of crofting legislation may be required in the future, this more tightly focused Bill would “correct known anomalies” in crofting legislation.
“Our inquiry will look at these proposed corrections and we’re asking for your views on whether they will address some of the current difficulties in crofting law. Will the proposals solve the problems they seek to address? What other changes are needed that are not included? And will merging the Scottish Land Court and Lands Tribunal for Scotland effect positive and necessary change?”
The Committee intends to take formal evidence on the Bill at Holyrood from September to November with a report to Parliament expected by the end of the year.
Members also hope to visit a crofting community as part of their scrutiny, to speak with crofters about how the Bill’s proposals would impact crofting communities.
The call for views will be open until Friday 5 September 2025.
During the First Minister’s Questions on Thursday MSP Foysol Choudhury questioned the Scottish Government on the accuracy of the expected wait times given to patients seeking specialist treatment from the NHS.
He raised concerns about why patients are being left in the dark regarding NHS wait times after being referred to see a specialist.
“Patients and families need to know what to expect. Right now, they’re left in limbo,” he said.
In the exchange, Mr Choudhury pressed the First Minister for a response:“How is the government working to ensure that patients are accurately informed of waiting times for NHS treatment following referrals to a specialist?”.
This question followed a distressing story shared by one of his constituents, whose referral to be seen by a specialist has far exceeded any acceptable limits, with no set date for an appointment after over a year of waiting since the initial referral.
Mr Choudhury also questioned whether the First Minister would acknowledge that his Government has lost control of escalating waiting times for specialist care, as these excessive delays leave patients experiencing prolonged periods of distress and uncertainty, significantly impacting their mental health.
This is not an isolated incident and is a genuine, growing concern across Scotland, with patients being told they are “on the list” without any clear indication as to when their appointment will be. This is illustrated by the following: In NHS Lothian, the number of people waiting over 52 weeks to see a dermatologist has doubled in the last year.
Mr Choudhury hopes the First Minister will consider some steps to improve patient experience and restore trust in the system.
He has called for greater transparency so that every patient can receive a clear idea of how long they may have to wait before accessing specialist treatment. He also emphasised the need for greater certainty around whether and when patients will receive care, alongside improved visibility of waiting times and targets made publicly available.
“Patients cannot, and must not, be left in the dark. We need a system where every person knows when they will be seen and what care they can expect. Until then, I will continue pressing this Government to act.”
Quotes from three of Scotland’s most well-known poets have been unveiled on the Scottish Parliament’s Canongate Wall on the Royal Mile.
Earlier this year, over 5,000 public votes were cast from people all over Scotland who chose which works by previous Scots Makars Liz Lochhead, Jackie Kay and Kathleen Jamie should feature.
The winning quotations were sent to Perthshire-based stone carver Gillian Forbes, assisted by apprentice Cameron Wallace, who carried out the letter-cutting process for the new quotes as well as many of the original ones already featured.
In total 29 quotations now feature on the Canongate Wall from Scottish writers and thinkers as well as popular proverbs and poems which are letter-cut into stones sourced from across Scotland. The Wall was designed by artist Soraya Smithson which pays tribute to the design ideas of Holyrood lead architect Enric Miralles.
The winning quotations are:
Liz Lochhead
this our one small country… our one, wondrous, spinning, dear green place. What shall we build of it, together in this our one small time and space?
– from Grace, A Handsel, New & Collected Poems, 2012
Stone cut into Achnaba Schist from Lochgilphead.
Jackie Kay
Where do you come from? ‘Here,’ I said, ‘Here. These parts.’
– from In my country, Darling: New & Selected Poems, 2007
Stone cut into Ailsa Craig Granite from Ayrshire.
Kathleen Jamie
Be brave: by the weird-song in the dark you’ll find your way.
– from The Storm, The Bonniest Companie, 2015
Stone cut into Dalbeattie Granite from Dumfriesshire.
Presiding Officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said: “Adding new quotations onto one of Scotland’s most prominent public sculptures is a celebration of the talent and skill of women who are performing at the very top of their professions.
“The inspirational words of our three poets – Liz Lochhead, Jackie Kay and Kathleen Jamie – combine with the skill of stone carver Gillian Forbes, making these quotes something of real beauty using stone from across Scotland.
“This is only possible thanks to the original vision of Enric Miralles and artist Soraya Smithson, who designed the wall as a permanent reminder of our rich cultural heritage.
“I’m proud to unveil these new quotes, which ensure that this piece of living public sculpture reflects the writing talent we have in Scotland today.”
Liz Lochhead, Makar from 2011 to 2016, said: “It’s a big part of my life, being a Scot, being somebody who has a parliament, and getting some of my words on the walls here, it’s fantastic.”
Jackie Kay, Makar from 2016 to 2021, said: “It’s a huge honour and so extraordinary to be carved into stone.
“It’s so strange to think of your words surviving you – but in a sense, that’s every writer’s dream.”
Kathleen Jamie, Makar from 2021 to 2024, said: “Poetry is very democratic. It’s available to anybody – through libraries, through memory.
UK Government’s Plan for Change delivers record settlement for Scottish Government with an extra £9.1 billion over the SR period to deliver public services
Working people across Scotland will benefit from significant investment in clean energy and innovation, creating thousands of high-skilled jobs and strengthening Scotland’s position as the home of the United Kingdom’s clean energy revolution.
The UK Government has confirmed £8.3 billion in funding for GB Energy-Nuclear and GB Energy in Aberdeen. This is alongside an increased commitment to the Acorn Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage project, which will receive development funding.
The Spending Review, outlined yesterday, Wednesday 11 June, announces targeted investment in Scotland’s most promising sectors to grow the economy and put more money in working people’s pockets. It delivers an extra £9.1 billion over Phase 2 of the Spending Review, through the Barnett formula.
The government also confirmed £25 million for the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Freeport.
These investments are part of a wider package, with funding for hydrogen production projects at Cromarty and Whitelee.
Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, said: “Putting more money in the pockets of working Scots by investing in the country’s renewal is at the heart of this Spending Review and our Plan for Change.
“The Chancellor has unleashed a new era of growth for Scotland, confirming billions of pounds of investment in clean energy – including new development funding for Acorn – creating thousands of high-skilled jobs.
“Scotland’s leading role at the heart of UK defence policy has been strengthened and there is also significant investment in our trailblazing innovation, research and development sectors.
“And the Scotland Office will work with local partners to ensure hundreds of millions of pounds of new targeted support for Scottish communities and businesses goes to projects that matter to local people. This means that the UK Government is now investing almost £1.7 billion in dozens of important growth schemes across Scotland over 10 years.
“To maximise the benefit of recent trade deals with India, US and the EU we are continuing the Brand Scotland programme to promote inward investment opportunities boosting Scottish exports of our globally celebrated products.
“And we are delivering a record real-terms funding settlement for the Scottish Government with an extra £9.1 billion over the Spending Review period through the Barnett formula. That’s more money than ever before for them to invest in Scottish public services like our NHS, police, housing and schools.
“This is a historic Spending Review for Scotland that chooses investment over decline and delivers on the promise that there would be no return to austerity.”
Investment in Scotland to strengthen UK defence
Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, the Chancellor reaffirmed the government’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by April 2027, backing our Armed Forces, creating British jobs in British industries, and prioritising the security of Britain when it is most needed.
The long-term future of the Clyde is secured through an initial £250 million investment over three years which will begin a multi-decade, multi-billion pound redevelopment of HM Naval Base Clyde through the ‘Clyde 2070’ programme.
Investing in innovation and R&D
Scotland will also become home to the UK’s largest and most powerful supercomputer, with up to £750 million committed to its development at Edinburgh University. This world-class facility will give scientists across all UK universities access to extraordinary computer power, further strengthening Scotland’s research and innovation capability.
The UK Government is backing Scottish industry with a share of increased UK-wide R&D spending set to grow from £20.4 billion in 2025-26 to over £22.6 billion per year by 2029-30. Scotland will also benefit from a £410 million UK-wide Local Innovation Partnerships Fund.
Targeted support for Scottish communities
The government is also investing £160 million over 10 years for Investment Zones in the North East of Scotland and in Glasgow City Region, and confirming £452 million over four years for City and Growth Deals across Scotland.
A £100 million joint investment for the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth deal with the Scottish Government (£50 million from UK Government and £50 million from Scottish Government), demonstrating the UK Government’s continued commitment to the Grangemouth industrial area.
A new local growth fund, and investments in up to 350 deprived communities across the UK, will maintain the same cash level as in 2025-26 under the Shared Prosperity Fund. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Scotland Office, will work with local partners and the Scottish Government, to ensure money goes to projects that matter to local people. This investment will help drive growth and improve communities across Scotland.
Supporting Scottish businesses
The National Wealth Fund (NWF) is trialling a Strategic Partnership with Glasgow City Region to provide enhanced, hands-on support to help it develop and finance long term investment opportunities. The NWF has already made its first investment in Scotland with £43.5 million in direct equity for a sustainable packaging company, which is to build its first commercial-scale manufacturing facility near Glasgow.
Through its Nations and Regions Investment programme the British Business Bank is delivering £150 million across Scotland to break down access to finance barriers and drive economic growth.
The settlement also allocates £0.75 million each year to champion our ‘Brand Scotland’ trade missions to promote Scotland’s goods and services on the world stage and to encourage further growth and investment.
A record settlement for Scottish public services
The Government has been clear that local decision-making against local priorities is central to delivering growth.
The Scottish Government will receive the largest real terms settlement since devolution began in 1998, with an average £50.9 billion per year between 2026-27 and 2028-29, enabling the Scottish Government to deliver for working people in Scotland. This includes £2.9 billion per year on average through the operation of the Barnett formula, with £2.4 billion resource between 2026-27 and 2028-29 and £510 million capital between 2026-27 and 2029-30.
This investment and record settlement is made possible by the ‘tough but necessary’ decisions taken in the October Budget.
Edinburgh North and Leith Labour MP Tracy Gilbert has welcomed the statement. She said: “The Comprehensive Spending Review is good for Scotland’s economy and public Services.
“After several meetings with the Secretary of States for Science, Innovation and Technology and Scotland I’m so pleased to see the announcement of funding for the new Supercomputer to be based at EdinburghUniversity.
“This major investment in Edinburgh positions us at the forefront of computing, and technological innovation, not just in the UK, but globally.”
Not unsurprisingly, the Holyrood SNP Government has a number of issues with the likely impact of the Spending Review on Scotland. Post to follow …
Plans to transform social care across Scotland will be progressed after the Scottish Parliament approved the Care Reform (Scotland) Bill.
Thousands of people with experience of accessing, delivering and receiving social care, social work and community health services have helped co-design the legislation, putting people at the heart of reform.
The Bill will bring forward a number of enhancements to social care that include:
enshrining Anne’s Law into legislation to uphold the rights of people living in adult care homes to see loved ones and identify an essential care supporter
strengthening support for unpaid carers by establishing a legal right to breaks, following the additional £13 million already allocated for up to 40,000 carers to take voluntary sector short breaks
empowering people to access information on their care and improving the flow of information across care settings
improving access to independent advocacy to guarantee people are heard and involved in decisions about their own care
creating a National Chief Social Work Adviser role to provide professional leadership and champion the sector, as part of plans for a new National Social Work Agency.
Alongside the Bill, an advisory board will be established to drive progress and scrutinise reform, replacing an interim board that met for the first time in May.
Social Care Minister Maree Todd said: “More than 200,000 people across Scotland access care each year.
“Anyone may need care during their lives, and that care should be high quality and delivered consistently across Scotland.
“That is why we have been so determined to bring forward much-needed reform, alongside the work we are already doing through the near £2.2 billion total investment in social care and integration in 2025-26.
“Reform is not easy to deliver and it is being made more challenging by recent UK Government changes to Employer National Insurance Contributions and changes to migration. These will undoubtedly impact on care delivery.
“However, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to deliver the sustainable change to social care that people urgently need.
“This is a significant step that will strengthen the rights of people living in care homes, support unpaid carers and social workers and improve experiences for the many people who access social care across Scotland.”
An essential care supporter is someone, for example close relatives or friends, who plays a vital role in providing their loved ones with regular care and support alongside staff. This includes companionship, personal support and advocacy.
The nationwide Relay Your Way campaign reached the heart of Scotland today with a powerful show of unity, inclusion, and support as leaders of all the main Scottish political parties – including First Minister John Swinney – took part in a special relay stage in Edinburgh.
Hosted in the Scottish Parliament grounds, the event marked a milestone in Relay Your Way, a 2,500km relay celebrating accessibility and inclusion in sport for children with disabilities.
The First Minister was joined by cross-party representatives and children from Oaklands School and Pilrig Park School, alongside representatives from Scottish Disability Sport. Together, they took part in a mini relay event designed to highlight the importance of removing barriers to participation in physical activity.
Jess Camburn-Rahmani, CEO of Cerebra, the charity behind the relay, said: “Cerebra is incredibly proud to be celebrating the power of sport to bring people of all abilities together with Relay Your Way and lead this nationwide movement for inclusion and change.
“Participation in sport should be equally available to everyone, and this relay is a powerful statement that no child should ever feel left out.
“It was also tremendously encouraging to see the enthusiasm and support from Scotland’s political leaders at the launch. Their commitment to championing inclusive sport is vital in helping to create real, lasting change.
“Whether you take part, cheer from the sidelines, or donate, you’ll be helping to create a world where all young people are fully included, supported, and celebrated. We wish the best of luck to everyone taking part.”
With over 10,000 participants expected to take part, the relay shines a spotlight on the three in four disabled children in the UK are not able to fully participate in PE and school sport*. Which is why Cerebra created Relay Your Way, so that no child has to ask: “can I take part?”
The Relay Your Way baton, designed by the Cerebra Innovation Centre to be easily carried by wheelchair users, adapted surfers, and frame runners, will be passed between participants over 301 stages to the finish line at Parallel, Windsor, on July 6.
For more information and to follow the journey live, visit: www.relayyourway.org
The Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Bangladesh has called for action to minimise impacts on Cox’s Bazar Rohingya Refugee Camps following recent International Aid cuts.
Convened by MSPs Foysol Choudhury and Miles Briggs, the CPG met on Tuesday, 3 June 2025, to discuss the escalating humanitarian crisis.
The meeting featured an update from Mohammad Jobayed Hosen, Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Manchester, who spoke on behalf of the newly appointed High Commissioner, H.E. Abida Islam.
The session drew a wide cross-section of attendees, including members of the Scottish Bangladeshi diaspora, students, local councillors, representatives from the Europe Bangladeshi Federation, the North East Bangladeshi Association (NEBA), entrepreneurs, and academics from the Universities of Stirling, Dundee, Edinburgh, Strathclyde, and Newcastle.
Mr Hosen provided an overview of the situation in Bangladesh, highlighting the ongoing social and economic pressures on host communities as the country enters its eighth year of sheltering over one million Rohingya refugees.
The CPG focused on the deepening refugee crisis, hearing a remote briefing from Maruf Mohammad Shehab, Head of Innovation and Resource Mobilisation Partnerships at ActionAid UK.
Speaking from Bangladesh, Mr Shehab outlined ActionAid’s humanitarian work in Cox’s Bazar, where in 2024 alone, the organisation reached over 901,000 individuals. Their efforts span gender-based violence prevention, youth empowerment, emergency shelter provision, hygiene kit distribution, and psychosocial support.
However, Mr Shehab expressed serious concerns about a growing funding shortfall. The 2025 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya crisis is currently only 43% funded, jeopardising essential services such as safe spaces for women and children, education, and mental health care.
ActionAid warned that deteriorating conditions are fuelling rising violence and eroding community resilience within the camps.
This was followed by a presentation from Geraldine O’Callaghan, Director at the United Nations World Food Programme’s Global Office in London, who addressed the critical issue of food insecurity. Ms O’Callaghan noted that due to funding constraints, food rations have been drastically reduced, placing the refugee population, already vulnerable, at heightened risk of malnutrition.
Background
Cox’s Bazar currently hosts nearly one million Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar due to systematic violence and human rights abuses over the past six years. An additional 35,000 are housed on Bhasan Char Island, making this one of the largest protracted refugee crises in the world.
The situation has further deteriorated due to extreme weather events, including monsoon floods and storms that have destroyed shelters and displaced thousands within the camps. Renewed violence in Myanmar has triggered an influx of over 118,000 new refugees as of May 2025, overwhelming an already under-resourced humanitarian infrastructure.
The CPG raised urgent concerns over the lack of sustained international attention and appealed for immediate action, particularly in light of recent USAID funding cuts that have severely impacted vital services, especially for children who make up more than half of the refugee population.
MSPs Foysol Choudhury and Miles Briggs, who visited Cox’s Bazar in 2023, spoke of witnessing the magnitude of the crisis firsthand. They emphasised the critical need for enhanced healthcare infrastructure, particularly in vaccination and disease prevention, and called for ongoing international support to meet urgent health and safety needs in the camps.
MSP Foysol Choudhury said: “The CPG is keen to raise awareness of the Rohingya crisis following the recent USAID cuts. Bangladeshi diaspora have raised their concerns regarding the growing population of Rohingya refugees and lack of action from the international community.
The crisis seems to have been forgotten and needs to be brought back to the forefront of international attention.
“We must ensure that the Rohingya people are not left behind, especially as they face increasing challenges due to funding shortfalls that threaten essential services such as food aid, healthcare, and education.”
He added: ““It was fantastic to hear the update from the new Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh and commitments of the new Bangladeshi Government to work collaboratively with the CPG to continue to strengthen ties between Scotland and Bangladesh and work on common priorities.
“These include addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis, advancing climate resilience, enhancing educational exchanges, and promoting inclusive development. The CPG is committed to facilitating meaningful dialogue and partnerships that reflect our shared values and mutual interests.
“We look forward to continuing this collaboration between Scotland and Bangladesh on the refugee crisis and prioritise areas such as climate change, international development and education.”
Former Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Rahman Habib also attended the meeting to announce the UK’s first Rohingya Memorial Stone in Bradford which is set to serve as a reminder of the ongoing difficulties faced by the Rohingya people and commemorate the victims and survivors of the Rohingya crisis.
CPG Convenors Foysol Choudhury and Miles Briggs warmly accepted the invitation to attend the official unveiling of the Rohingya Memorial in Bradford on 25th August 2025.
The meeting concluded with updates from the Scottish Bangladeshi diaspora on youth leadership, education, and climate justice initiatives, underscoring the strong and evolving partnership between Scotland and Bangladesh.
The Cross-Party Group on Bangladesh remains committed to championing these shared priorities and continuing its advocacy on humanitarian issues, international development, and the concerns of the Bangladeshi community in Scotland.
Here’s the full Bangla translation:
হোলিরুডের বাংলাদেশ বিষয়ক ক্রস-পার্টি গ্রুপ রোহিঙ্গা শরণার্থী সংকট নিয়ে জরুরি পদক্ষেপের আহ্বান জানিয়েছে স্কটিশ পার্লামেন্টের বাংলাদেশ বিষয়ক ক্রস-পার্টি গ্রুপ (সিপিজি) সম্প্রতি আন্তর্জাতিক সহায়তা হ্রাসের প্রেক্ষাপটে কক্সবাজারের রোহিঙ্গা শরণার্থী ক্যাম্পগুলোর উপর প্রভাব কমানোর জন্য জরুরি পদক্ষেপ গ্রহণের আহ্বান জানিয়েছে।
এমএসপি ফয়ছল চৌধুরী এবং মাইলস ব্রিগস-এর আহ্বানে ২০২৫ সালের ৩ জুন মঙ্গলবার অনুষ্ঠিত এই বৈঠকে চলমান মানবিক সংকট নিয়ে আলোচনা হয়। বৈঠকে ম্যানচেস্টারে নিযুক্ত বাংলাদেশের সহকারী হাইকমিশনার মোহাম্মদ জোবায়েদ হোসেন উপস্থিত ছিলেন, যিনি সদ্য নিযুক্ত হাইকমিশনার মহামান্য আবিদা ইসলামের পক্ষে বক্তব্য রাখেন।
এই বৈঠকে স্কটিশ বাংলাদেশি প্রবাসী সমাজের সদস্য, শিক্ষার্থী, স্থানীয় কাউন্সিলর, ইউরোপ বাংলাদেশি ফেডারেশন, নর্থ ইস্ট বাংলাদেশি অ্যাসোসিয়েশন (NEBA), উদ্যোক্তা এবং স্টার্লিং, ডান্ডি, এডিনবার্গ, স্ট্রাথক্লাইড এবং নিউক্যাসল বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের শিক্ষাবিদসহ বিভিন্ন শ্রেণি-পেশার মানুষ অংশ নেন।
মো. হোসেন বাংলাদেশে চলমান পরিস্থিতির একটি সার্বিক চিত্র উপস্থাপন করেন এবং উল্লেখ করেন যে, রোহিঙ্গা শরণার্থীদের আশ্রয় দেয়ার ফলে দীর্ঘ আট বছর ধরে স্বাগতিক বাংলাদেশি জনগোষ্ঠীর উপর সামাজিক ও অর্থনৈতিক চাপ বাড়ছে।
সিপিজি বৈঠকে রোহিঙ্গা শরণার্থী সংকট আরও গভীরতর হচ্ছে বলে আলোচনা হয়। বাংলাদেশ থেকে ভার্চুয়াল মাধ্যমে যুক্ত হয়ে অ্যাকশনএইড ইউকে-র ইনোভেশন ও রিসোর্স মোবিলাইজেশন পার্টনারশিপ বিভাগের প্রধান মারুফ মোহাম্মদ শহাব একটি বিস্তারিত আপডেট দেন। তিনি জানান, কক্সবাজারে ২০২৪ সালেই অ্যাকশনএইড প্রায় ৯ লাখের বেশি মানুষের কাছে সহায়তা পৌঁছে দিয়েছে। এ সহায়তার মধ্যে রয়েছে নারী নির্যাতন প্রতিরোধ, যুব ক্ষমতায়ন, জরুরি আশ্রয় প্রদান, স্বাস্থ্যবিধি কিট বিতরণ এবং মানসিক সহায়তা সেবা।
তবে, শহাব জানান যে বর্তমানে তহবিল সংকট ভয়াবহ আকার ধারণ করেছে। ২০২৫ সালের জন্য রোহিঙ্গা সংকট মোকাবিলায় যৌথ প্রতিক্রিয়া পরিকল্পনা (জেআরপি) মাত্র ৪৩% অর্থায়িত হয়েছে, ফলে নারীদের ও শিশুদের জন্য নিরাপদ স্থান, শিক্ষা এবং মানসিক স্বাস্থ্যসেবার মতো গুরুত্বপূর্ণ কার্যক্রম হুমকির মুখে পড়েছে। তিনি সতর্ক করেন যে এই সঙ্কট আরও সহিংসতা সৃষ্টি করছে এবং শরণার্থী ক্যাম্পগুলোর সামাজিক সহনশীলতা নষ্ট করছে।
এরপর জাতিসংঘের বিশ্ব খাদ্য কর্মসূচির লন্ডন অফিসের পরিচালক জেরালডিন ও’ক্যালাঘান একটি উপস্থাপনা দেন, যেখানে খাদ্য নিরাপত্তাহীনতার ভয়াবহ চিত্র তুলে ধরা হয়। তিনি বলেন, তহবিল সংকটের কারণে খাদ্য রেশন কঠোরভাবে হ্রাস করা হয়েছে, ফলে শরণার্থীরা অপুষ্টি ও অনাহারের ঝুঁকিতে রয়েছে।
সংকটের পটভূমি কক্সবাজারে বর্তমানে প্রায় ১০ লাখ রোহিঙ্গা শরণার্থী অবস্থান করছে, যারা গত ছয় বছরে মিয়ানমারে রাষ্ট্রীয় নিপীড়ন ও মানবাধিকার লঙ্ঘনের কারণে পালিয়ে এসেছে। অতিরিক্ত ৩৫ হাজার রোহিঙ্গা ভাসানচরে অবস্থান করছে। এটি বিশ্বের অন্যতম বৃহৎ দীর্ঘস্থায়ী শরণার্থী সংকট হিসেবে পরিগণিত।
ঘূর্ণিঝড় ও মৌসুমি বন্যার মতো চরম আবহাওয়া পরিস্থিতির কারণে ক্যাম্পে বসবাসরত বহু মানুষ আশ্রয় হারিয়েছে। ২০২৫ সালের মে মাস পর্যন্ত মিয়ানমারে নতুন করে সহিংসতা ছড়িয়ে পড়ায় আরও ১ লাখ ১৮ হাজার নতুন শরণার্থী বাংলাদেশে আশ্রয় নিয়েছে, যা ইতিমধ্যেই দুর্বল মানবিক সহায়তা কাঠামোকে অতিরিক্ত চাপে ফেলেছে।
সিপিজি বৈঠকে অংশগ্রহণকারীরা আন্তর্জাতিক সহায়তার অভাব নিয়ে গভীর উদ্বেগ প্রকাশ করেন। তারা অবিলম্বে পদক্ষেপ গ্রহণের আহ্বান জানান, বিশেষ করে সম্প্রতি ইউএসএইড (USAID) এর অনুদান কমিয়ে দেয়ার ফলে শিশুদের জন্য খাদ্য, স্বাস্থ্যসেবা এবং শিক্ষার মতো মৌলিক সেবাগুলো ঝুঁকির মুখে পড়েছে।
২০২৩ সালে কক্সবাজার সফর করা এমএসপি ফয়ছল চৌধুরী এবং মাইলস ব্রিগস জানান যে, তারা সরেজমিনে রোহিঙ্গা সংকটের ভয়াবহতা প্রত্যক্ষ করেছেন। তারা ক্যাম্পে টিকাদান ও রোগ প্রতিরোধসহ স্বাস্থ্যসেবা উন্নয়নের প্রয়োজনীয়তার উপর জোর দেন এবং আন্তর্জাতিক সহায়তা জোরদারের আহ্বান জানান।
এমএসপি ফয়ছল চৌধুরী বলেন: “সম্প্রতি ইউএসএইড-এর অনুদান হ্রাসের পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে সিপিজি রোহিঙ্গা সংকট নিয়ে সচেতনতা বাড়াতে আগ্রহী। বাংলাদেশি প্রবাসীরা ক্রমবর্ধমান রোহিঙ্গা শরণার্থী সংখ্যা ও আন্তর্জাতিক সমাজের নিষ্ক্রিয়তা নিয়ে তাদের উদ্বেগ প্রকাশ করেছেন। এই সংকট যেন ধীরে ধীরে ভুলে যাওয়া হচ্ছে, যা ফের আন্তর্জাতিক অঙ্গনে আলোচনায় ফিরিয়ে আনা জরুরি। আমরা নিশ্চিত করতে চাই যে, রোহিঙ্গারা যেন এই দুঃসময়ে পিছিয়ে না পড়ে – বিশেষত যখন খাদ্য সহায়তা, স্বাস্থ্যসেবা ও শিক্ষা হুমকির মুখে।”
তিনি আরও বলেন: “বাংলাদেশের নতুন সহকারী হাইকমিশনারের কাছ থেকে আপডেট শুনে ভালো লেগেছে এবং নতুন সরকারের পক্ষ থেকে স্কটল্যান্ড ও বাংলাদেশের মধ্যে সম্পর্ক জোরদারে সহযোগিতার প্রতিশ্রুতি আশাজনক। এই যৌথ প্রয়াসের মধ্যে রয়েছে রোহিঙ্গা সংকট মোকাবিলা, জলবায়ু সহনশীলতা উন্নয়ন, শিক্ষাক্ষেত্রে আদান-প্রদান এবং অন্তর্ভুক্তিমূলক উন্নয়ন। সিপিজি অর্থবহ সংলাপ ও অংশীদারিত্ব গড়তে প্রতিশ্রুতিবদ্ধ, যা আমাদের অভিন্ন মূল্যবোধ ও পারস্পরিক স্বার্থকে প্রতিফলিত করে।
“আমরা স্কটল্যান্ড ও বাংলাদেশের মধ্যে এই সহযোগিতা আরও এগিয়ে নিতে এবং জলবায়ু পরিবর্তন, আন্তর্জাতিক উন্নয়ন ও শিক্ষা-সহ বিভিন্ন অগ্রাধিকারমূলক বিষয়ে একসাথে কাজ করতে দৃঢ় প্রতিশ্রুতিবদ্ধ।”
নিউক্যাসলের সাবেক লর্ড মেয়র কাউন্সিলর রহমান হাবিবও বৈঠকে উপস্থিত ছিলেন। তিনি যুক্তরাজ্যের প্রথম রোহিঙ্গা স্মৃতিস্তম্ভ ‘রোহিঙ্গা মেমোরিয়াল স্টোন’-এর ঘোষণা দেন, যা ব্র্যাডফোর্ডে স্থাপন করা হবে। এই স্মৃতিস্তম্ভ রোহিঙ্গা জনগণের চলমান দুঃখ-কষ্টের স্মারক হিসেবে কাজ করবে এবং এই সংকটের ভুক্তভোগী ও বেঁচে থাকা মানুষদের স্মরণে নিবেদিত থাকবে। সিপিজি-এর আহ্বায়ক ফয়ছল চৌধুরী এবং মাইলস ব্রিগস ২৫ আগস্ট ২০২৫ তারিখে ব্র্যাডফোর্ডে অনুষ্ঠেয় স্মৃতিস্তম্ভ উন্মোচন অনুষ্ঠানে অংশগ্রহণের আমন্ত্রণ আন্তরিকভাবে গ্রহণ করেন।
বৈঠকের শেষে স্কটিশ বাংলাদেশি প্রবাসীদের পক্ষ থেকে যুব নেতৃত্ব, শিক্ষা ও জলবায়ু ন্যায়বিচার বিষয়ক বিভিন্ন উদ্যোগের অগ্রগতি তুলে ধরা হয়, যা স্কটল্যান্ড ও বাংলাদেশের মধ্যে মজবুত ও বিকাশমান অংশীদারিত্বের প্রতিফলন।
বাংলাদেশ বিষয়ক ক্রস-পার্টি গ্রুপ মানবিক সংকট, আন্তর্জাতিক উন্নয়ন এবং স্কটল্যান্ডে বাংলাদেশি কমিউনিটির বিভিন্ন গুরুত্বপূর্ণ বিষয়ে সচেতনতা এবং সুরক্ষায় অঙ্গীকারবদ্ধ।
