Tag: racism

Hate has no home in Scotland

Campaign launched to increase understanding and reporting of hate crime

The Scottish Government has joined with Police Scotland and the Crown Office (COPFS) to launch a new campaign against hate crime.

‘Hate has no home in Scotland’ launched during Hate Crime Awareness Week and will run until 26 November. It aims to increase public understanding of what hate crime is, and how to report it – for those who personally experience it and, importantly, bystanders to hate crimes.

More than 5,300 cases of hate crime were reported in Scotland over the past year, with many other incidents going unreported. The campaign has been developed in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders involved in dealing with hate crime and its consequences as a response.

Launching the campaign, Equalities Secretary Angela Constance (above) said: “We all need to play our part to eradicate hate crime, which has no place in Scotland. ‘Hate has no home’ encourages and empowers people to recognise hate crime and report it, stopping this discrimination at its source. That is particularly important when people are bystanders – no one should be a passive witness when one of our fellow citizens is attacked because of who they are.  

“We are committed to working with stakeholders, including Police Scotland and the COPFS, to tackle this blight. Ensuring we all take a stand and report hate crime is an important part of creating a fairer country for all. I look forward to seeing the country come together to support the campaign and take a stand against such hate.”

Chief Superintendent John McKenzie, Police Scotland, Safer Communities, said: “People of all races, religions, ethnicities, of any sexual orientation or with any disability should be able to live their lives free from hate or harassment. There is no place for hate in Scotland and it is our communities, who will lead the way in tackling hate crime with the support of police, the Government and other partners.

“Hate crime is under reported, we want to change that and we are asking people not to be bystanders. Speak out, help us tackle hate crime. By working together we can drive prejudice out of our communities and out of Scotland.”

Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC said: “Crime motivated by hatred is not only a wrong against the individual, but is an affront to our collective values as a community, creating division and fear. That is why we treat it so seriously and why we will continue to do so.

“The prosecution service, along with our colleagues in Police Scotland and other agencies, plays an essential role in creating an environment in which all people who live in Scotland, regardless of their personal or social circumstances, can have confidence that they live in a just society and that they will be protected from crime.”

More information on the campaign can be found here.

 

 

 

Victims urged to report hate crimes

10% fall in racial hate crime charges brought by police

People affected by hate crime have been encouraged to come forward to police to ensure perpetrators can be properly dealt with.

Minister for Community Safety Annabel Ewing made the appeal following the publication of a series of reports covering hate crime, religiously aggravated offences and the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 which show:

  • Racial crime charges are the most common brought by police, but with a decrease of 10% compared to 2015/16
  • Sexual orientation aggravated charges increased by 5% compared to 2015/16
  • The number of religiously aggravated charges is the highest since 2012/13
  • 44% of victims in religiously aggravated charges were police officers
  • 377 charges were made under the Offensive Behaviour Act , an increase of 32% on the previous year. 140 of these charges relate to the Scottish Cup Final on 21 May 2016.

Minister for Community Safety Annabelle Ewing said: “Any crime motivated by prejudice is absolutely unacceptable. While the statistics show a decrease in reported racial crimes, there have been increases in those related to sexual orientation, religion and transgender identity and we cannot be complacent about these crimes are dealt with.

“I remain concerned that hate crimes are under-reported and want to encourage anyone who has been subjected to such appalling acts to come forward to ensure that perpetrators can be dealt with appropriately. We will keep engaging with community leaders on how best to raise awareness of how such crimes can be reported and in the meantime. We will continue to work with Police Scotland and others to ensure a robust response to perpetrators.

“Scotland does not exist in isolation from the rest of the world and we know that global events have an impact on the levels of hate crime that different communities are subjected to. We must ensure that we have appropriate legislation in place to deal with those who continue to perpetrate prejudice, bigotry and hatred, which is why I commissioned the Independent Review of Hate Crime Legislation in Scotland and expect that its findings will help us to ensure that our hate crime legislation is fit for the 21st century.

“The number of charges under the Offensive Behaviour Act demonstrate that we still have a problem with offensive and abusive behaviour related to football matches and that we need legislation to give our police the powers required to ensure that football is not immune from the standards expected in the rest of society.”

Chief Superintendent Barry McEwan, Head of Safer Communities, Police Scotland, added: “I would always encourage anyone who has been the victim of hate crime in any form, whether because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ethnicity or any other individual circumstance, to come forward and report it to the police. It is only through reporting offences that we can form a more complete picture of the issue and address is in the most robust manner possible.

“Police Scotland will not tolerate any attempts to target any community by any misguided individual or group and will work with all of our partners to resolve any issues and address any concerns. Should anyone become a victim of, or witness to, any hate crime, they should contact the police and report the incident, by calling 101 or 999 if it is an emergency.”

Hate Crime in Scotland 2016-17

Religously Aggravated Offending in Scotland 2016 – 17

 

 

Report reveals ‘worrying’ levels of Islamophobia in city schools

Campaign group Scotland Against Criminalising Communities (SACC) has launched a new report on experiences of Islamophobia amongst Muslim students at schools in Edinburgh. The report reveals ‘worrying’ levels of both verbal and physical abuse. Continue reading Report reveals ‘worrying’ levels of Islamophobia in city schools

Rise in racist incidents sparks community action

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The North Edinburgh community will discuss a worrying rise in the number of racist incidents at this afternoon’s Living in Harmony forum at Spartans Community Football Academy. Continue reading Rise in racist incidents sparks community action

First Minister: Scotland has no place for hate and racism

‘Scotland is an open and welcoming country and that prejudice, hate and racism will not be tolerated, now or at any time.’

‘We chose to be an open, inclusive and outward-looking society where other EU citizens are welcome to live, work and contribute’ – 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

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The Scottish Government’s overriding priority is to protect Scotland’s relationship with, and place in, the EU, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Holyrood yesterday. Continue reading First Minister: Scotland has no place for hate and racism

Chinese man ‘serious’ following Pilton race hate attack

police (4)

A Chinese father of three is being treated in hospital for serious injuries following a horrific attack by three men in West Pilton last night. 

The victim suffered multiple injuries – including stab wounds – during the vicious attack which happened near the corner of West Pilton Grove and Park at around 9.30 last night. He has been named locally as Jie Yu, owner of the Peking Garden takeaway on Ferry Road Drive, and it’s thought he confronted to men as they attempted to steal his car.

One of the alleged attackers has since been detained and police say they are following a ‘positive line of enquiry’.

Superintendent Liz McAinsh said: “This was a vicious assault which left the victim in need of medical treatment and he remains in hospital in a serious condition.

“Hate crime is completely unacceptable and Police Scotland will relentlessly pursue those responsible.

“I would like to reassure the public that we have devoted significant resources to this enquiry to identify and apprehend those responsible”.

If you have any information call Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers in anonymity on 0800 555 111.

pilton investigation