Next steps to tackle hate crime announced

The next steps in preventing and eradicating hate crime in Scotland have been discussed at a Scottish Government summit.

Hosted by the Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Paul Wheelhouse, the event was held in Edinburgh and included a range of attendees representing minority communities, key stakeholders and public authorities from across Scotland.

The summit reflected on progress made to date in tackling hate crime and, crucially, outlined the next steps that will be taken, including the creation of a new Independent Advisory Group on Hate Crime, Prejudice and Community Cohesion, that will be led by expert on sectarianism Dr Duncan Morrow, from the University of Ulster.

The Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Paul Wheelhouse said: “I am pleased to announce that we are establishing an Independent Advisory Group on Hate Crime, Prejudice and Community Cohesion and I am delighted that this group will be chaired by Dr Duncan Morrow, who I greatly respect.

“The main purpose of the group is to provide evidenced findings and recommendations which the Scottish Government can take forward in partnership with communities to help eliminate hate crime for good.
“Scotland is becoming a more inclusive country and this is very much to be welcomed. We want everyone in our communities to live safely and without fear and today’s summit takes us one step closer to making this vision a reality.”

Dr Duncan Morrow said: “Hate crime and prejudice, regardless of whether this is violent or expressed through verbal comments and passive behaviours, has a corrosive and damaging effect on individuals and communities. It undermines community cohesion, isolates and alienates individuals and generates fear and mistrust of those who appear to be different from ourselves.

“My previous work with the independent Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland highlighted an enormous desire for change among communities and agencies across Scotland which will allow us to tackle insidious social issues like hate crime in respectful ways.

“I am delighted to have been invited to chair this new Independent Advisory Group and look forward to working with the many committed individuals and organisations who recognise that being truly inclusive is central to all modern and forward looking countries.”