Tag: slavery

UPDATE: Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Group

In July 2020 the City of Edinburgh Council’s Policy and Sustainability Committee agreed a set of actions to address historic racial injustice and stem modern day discrimination.

One of the actions was a commitment to the establishment of an independent review to consider and make recommendations on Edinburgh’s slavery and colonialism legacy in the civic realm.

In November 2020, the City of Edinburgh Council appointed Sir Geoff Palmer as independent chair to lead the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Group. This Group includes a number of citizen volunteers who have offered their time, lived experience and expertise to make sure the Review is impactful.

The Review’s remit is broad and takes in figures commemorated in the public realm who were both for and against slavery.

An investigation is now underway of, including but not limited to, relevant public statues and monuments, street and building names within City of Edinburgh boundaries which Review Group members agree are of significance.

They will go on to consider the options and responses available to redress this legacy, including the possible removal or re-interpretation of features.

The Group will oversee a public consultation on this before formulating recommendations to bring back to the Council.

Recent media reports have focussed on those in scope who profited either directly or indirectly from the slave trade, however there are a number of figures included in the Review who were aligned with the abolitionist movement.

Chair Sir Geoff Palmer comments below on recent coverage to clarify: 

Sir Geoff Palmer, Chair of Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Group said: “The purpose of this historical review is to select monuments, buildings and streets in Edinburgh which are associated with slavery and colonialism.

“Edinburgh’s links with slavery and colonialism are well documented.  Edinburgh street names are well represented in the Slavery Emancipation, Compensation List of 1833 where slave owners were compensated for their slaves because legally the slaves were property. 

“A recently compiled list of Edinburgh buildings, monuments and streets associated with slavery and colonialism will be discussed by the Review Group on 15th March, 2021. This list is comprehensive and it contains slave owners, abolitionists, buildings and monuments. 

“For example, the list contains:

‘John Gladstone (Leith), slave owner, the father of William Gladstone, the Prime Minister. He received the largest compensation for 2,508 slaves. Henry Brougham, the distinguished abolitionist (St. Andrew Square).

‘Gilmore Place, commemorative plaque to Frederick Douglass, the black abolitionist who lived in Edinburgh in 1846. Balcarres Street, representing Earl Balcarres’ period as governor of Jamaica and slave owner.  Henry Dundas (Viscount Melville) …statues (St. Andrew Square) and street names, Scottish politician who delayed the abolition of the slave trade to benefit slavers.  As President of the Board of Control, he controlled the East India Company from 1793-1801 (India Street). 

‘Philosopher and economist Adam Smith and philosopher David Hume (statues) were indirectly involved in slavery. Smith proposed moderating slavery and improving its profitability with wages ( see Adam Smith’s grave included dossier sites linked slavery colonialism Daily Mail, 6 March) and Hume suggested that negroes were inferior to whites which had an impact on the practice of the racism in slavery. 

‘The British Linen Bank building, St. Andrew Square, is included because it was a very profitable company managing the sale of clothes for slaves.  Gillespie School (building) represents association with James Gillespie the tobacco merchant. 

‘David Livingstone (statue) missionary in British colonies in Africa.  Rodney Street which ends at the Royal Navy Club. Admiral Rodney stopped the French from taking Jamaica from Britain in 1782 (Battle of the Saintes).  Jamaica (Jamaica Street) was Britain’s main producer of sugar and coffee. 

‘The Earl of Hopetoun (statue, St. Andrew Square) had military association with slavery in Grenada and was a relative of Henry Dundas, so was Lawrence Dundas the owner of Dundas House (St Andrew Square). 

“The list is historical and was compiled without prejudice or bias. Reference in recent articles including the Telegraph (Adam Smith’s grave listed dossier slavery colonialism sites) to the selection of Adam Smith is disappointing, no denigration was intended.

“The scope of our review is broad and takes into account figures commemorated in the public realm who were both for and against slavery. Indeed, the list also includes abolitionists Brougham (St Andrew Square) and Douglass (Gilmore Place).

“I would also like to clarify about the comments made in telegraph article by Tom Devine in regards to the new narrative on Dundas’ temporary plaque being untenable because, it reflects his view about Henry Dundas in his 2015 book, ‘Recovering Scotland’s Slavery Past …The Caribbean Connection’ where he says: “One of the most powerful of these was Henry Dundas, ‘The Uncrowned King of Scotland’, whose Parliamentary intervention in 1792 arguing for gradual abolition of the slave trade effectively killed off reform for a generation” [15 years].

Not surprisingly, he received grateful thanks from influential members of the West India interest [slavers] for his support for their cause”. As Secretary of State for War, Dundas managed “gradual abolition” during the French revolutionary wars and was the “chief instrument” against abolition of the slave trade.

“My views on statues are well known, as stated in the Evening News (Don’t tear our statues down’ says Sir Geoff Palmer amid controversy over Edinburgh’s historic links to slavery). The Report which will be presented to the Council will contain historical information based on published work and supporting investigation. 

“This project will be carried out in association with Edinburgh University. Working together we will achieve the aims set out by the Council to ensure that equality, inclusion and diversity are embedded in the practices of the Council.”

‘Consigning racism and prejudice to history’

Council outlines plans for stepping up capital’s response to Black Lives Matter

A review of Edinburgh’s links to slavery and colonialism and a series of work strands to enhance diversity and inclusion across the City at the heart of a Council-wide response to Black Lives Matter.

Following calls from elected members in June to see the Council strengthen it’s commitment to tackling discrimination and response to BAME issues, officers have started work on an action plan which was approved by the Policy and Sustainability Committee on Thursday (23 July). 

The plan features work to appoint a panel to lead a series of workshops in the coming months, with the aim of reviewing features like street signs and statues, the Council’s employment policy and procedures and projects looking at diversity in schools. 

This independent Review Group will develop parameters and a workplan to be presented to Council with support from the Equalities Champion and Equalities Working Group.

The report also outlined the strengthened approach to equalities and the Council’s commitment to develop a policy on Equalities, Diversity and Human Rights.  

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “Edinburgh is one of the most inclusive, diverse and welcoming cities in the world yet we must always strive to do better. Our ambition is to consign racism and prejudice to history.

“There is absolutely no place for intolerance in Scotland’s Capital City in 2020 and the Black Lives Movement has provided us with a real opportunity to have an open and honest conversation with ourselves and with our communities.

This report offered ideas for enhancing diversity where we can and I’m looking forward to the appointment of the Independent Review Group with emphasis on imput and leadership from the wider BAME community.

“I want to see us consider all options for rectifying the glorification of slavery and colonialism in our streets and for supporting diversity in our city, right across the Council and in each of our schools.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day added: “This is an important and timely piece of work which will help us to build on our equalities programme, making sure we take action where we can in response to lessons learned from the Black Lives Matters movement. It’s important we listen to and act upon the views of the BAME community.

“In recent months we’ve already committed to review our museum and gallery collections through the lens of BAME history. We’ve also put a temporary plaque in place to more accurately tell the history of the statue of Henry Dundas, a man who had links to the slave trade.

“We’ll also look at how we can highlight this side of Edinburgh’s history to our young people, parents and teaching staff so that they have the support and tools they need to make black history a core part of school life. 

“Steps like these can help us understand the wrongs of the past and dismantle their harmful and persistent legacy in present day racism, so that prejudice can finally become a thing of the past.”

‘For better or worse’: New plaque for Melville Monument

The city council is to draw up new wording to tell the story of the Melville Monument in St Andrew Square.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “Edinburgh is a progressive, diverse and welcoming City and we must continue to fight against racism in all spheres of Government and across society.

“I share the anger of people that we are still, in 2020, debating the issue of racial prejudice – something that should be consigned to the history books. The Black Lives Matter demonstration at the weekend, where no arrests were made, proves the overwhelming power of peaceful action.

“What is essential is that we tell our City’s story more accurately – for better or worse. We have a lot to celebrate about the contribution black and ethnic minority Edinburghers have made and are making to our City’s progress and success and that should be clear.

“Yet, we also need to address and talk openly about those moments in Scottish history where people have been killed, enslaved or discriminated against, simply because of their race.

“As part of this, we’ll be reviewing our own museum and gallery collections through the lens of BAME history to make sure that Edinburgh’s stories are accurately told.

“Building on the progress we’d already made with Prof Geoff Palmer and others, I’m pleased to say that we’ve come to a form of words on a plaque at the statue of Henry Dundas (above) – and this will be published tomorrow (Wednesday 10 June).

“It will be finalised and installed at the foot of the Melville Monument as soon as possible. This is just one part of Edinburgh’s history and one small change we can make. We should make many more.”

Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, was a leading figure in the Scottish Enlightenment – but the Royal High School and Edinburgh University educated advocate also did all he could to delay the abolition of slavery while president of the Board of Control of the East India Company, which was heavily involved in the slave trade.

“Utterly repugnant”: human traffickers jailed at High Court

“Such crimes are utterly repugnant. They involve the degradation of other humans, treating them as if they were objects or animals to be transported and sold for exploitation.” – Lord Beckett

Four people who trafficked women from Slovakia to Scotland and forced their victims into prostitution and sham marriages have been jailed. Continue reading “Utterly repugnant”: human traffickers jailed at High Court

Human trafficking gang convicted following five year operation

Four members of an organised crime group have been convicted of trafficking offences at the High Court in Glasgow. Three men and one woman convicted yesterday marked the conclusion of a five-year-long investigation undertaken by Police Scotland. Continue reading Human trafficking gang convicted following five year operation

Nearly 7000 potential victims of slavery and trafficking reported last year

The number of potential victims of trafficking and modern slavery reported to the authorities has risen by more than 80 per cent in two years, according to figures released by the National Crime Agency today.

The National Referral Mechanism end of year summary (648 KB) shows that in 2018 6993 potential victims were referred into the system, up from 5142 in 2017, and 3804 in 2016.

Potential victims from 130 different countries were identified, and for the second consecutive year British citizens made up the largest nationality (1,625), with Albanians (947) and Vietnamese (702) second and third.

The number of British citizens reported was almost double the number from 2017, while the numbers of minors referred increased by 48 per cent. Both increases were driven by the numbers referred for labour exploitation, which includes those exploited for criminal purposes by ‘County Lines’ gangs.

Overall those referred in the labour exploitation category made up more than half of the total number.

NCA Deputy Director Roy McComb said: “The increase is undoubtedly the result of greater awareness, understanding and reporting of modern slavery and that is something to be welcomed.

“However, the more we look the more we find, and it is likely these figures represent only a snapshot of the true scale of slavery and trafficking in the UK.

“Of particular concern is the increase in referrals made for ‘county lines’ type exploitation. These are often vulnerable individuals – often children – who are exploited by criminal gangs for the purposes of drug trafficking.

“Our understanding of the threat is much greater than it was a few years ago, and modern slavery remains a high priority for law enforcement, with around 1,500 criminal investigations currently live in the UK.

“But we cannot stop modern slavery alone, we need support and assistance from across the public and private sectors, NGOs and most of all the public themselves.”

The National Referral Mechanism is a framework for identifying victims of modern slavery or human trafficking and ensuring they receive the appropriate support. It is also the mechanism through which data is collected about victims, helping to build a clearer picture about the scope of the threat.

Under the existing NRM process potential victims are referred by ‘first responders’, including police, public bodies and a number of specified NGOs to one of two competent authorities, the NCA’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit for EEA nationals, and the Home Office for non-EEA cases, to make a decision about their status.

From 29 April 2019 this will change when the Home Office becomes the single competent authority for dealing with referrals. This is part of a package of reforms to the NRM announced by the government in October 2017 to improve identification of and support for victims of modern slavery.

Modern slavery: it could be closer than you think …

Increasing number of potential victims being identified in Scotland

Human trafficking may be closer than most Scots think, a new awareness campaign has revealed. For the first time, the locations where victims of human trafficking have been identified over the last five years have been pinpointed to challenge perceptions that the crime is confined to Scotland’s major towns and cities. Continue reading Modern slavery: it could be closer than you think …

Charities in talks on modern slavery

s300_modern-slavery-meeting

Charities and campaigners at the forefront of efforts to end modern slavery in the UK and overseas took part in a roundtable hosted by the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, and the UK’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland on Monday.

The meeting, also attended by Minister for Vulnerability, Safeguarding and Countering Extremism, Sarah Newton, highlighted the UK’s commitment to ending slavery and to set out new measures and support announced by the Prime Minister including:

  • a new taskforce led by the Prime Minister to oversee government action to end slavery
  • a review by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) of the policing response to slavery
  • £33.5 million in official development assistance funding to tackle the issue in countries from which the UK sees a high number of victims

The new support comes one year on from the introduction of the Modern Slavery Act which increased penalties for offenders, protected victims from criminalisation, and created the role of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.

As well as the new measures announced, an independent report by barrister Caroline Haughey highlights good progress in the first year of the act – 289 modern slavery offences were prosecuted in 2015 and there was a 40% rise in the number of victims referred for support – and identifies opportunities to do more.

Following the roundtable, the Home Secretary had the opportunity to meet a survivor of modern slavery: ‘J’ who was trafficked from Asia to the UK and held for 2 years by her captors.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: “While we can never truly understand the suffering experienced by victims of modern slavery, we will continue to take action to end this abhorrent crime.

I will work with the Prime Minister and all those campaigners and charities at the roundtable to ensure this government delivers for every victim both here and overseas. The harrowing experiences of victims like J will only intensify the government’s actions to end modern slavery.”

Those charities that attended the roundtable included Barnados, the Salvation Army, Medaille Trust, Human Trafficking Foundation, Anti-Slavery International, Hestia and End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes (ECPAT UK).

J’s story

J decided to come to the UK to study and to have a better future and was exploited by a woman from her own community.

Once in London, J wanted to improve her language skills and decided to do so by volunteering in a store-café owned by a woman from her own community within London. J had met this woman at the temple, and she trusted her dearly. For 2 years she was forced to work for 14 hours a day with only 2 toilet breaks and no lunch or dinner time. She was not paid and was forced to miss days at college in order to staff the store.

The owner of the store used to mistreat her and the other ‘employees’, threatening them and their families to ensure that they did not report it to the police. Furthermore, the lady withheld the use of heating during the winter and did not allow the ‘employees’ to eat or drink during ‘working’ hours.

In August 2014, a police officer from the British Transport Police managed to befriend J. The police referred the case to the Salvation Army, who then referred the case to Hestia. J was then welcomed into Hestia’s safe-house accommodation and feels she has finally found some peace.

Continue reading Charities in talks on modern slavery