Minister to chair new group focused on tackling hate crime
The Scottish Government is to set up a group to tackle hate crime.
The Scottish Government is to set up a group to tackle hate crime.
Communities and Equalities Secretary Angela Constance said she will chair the new group, which will look at removing barriers to reporting hate crime and on developing community cohesion.
Police Scotland, the Crown Office and local government umbrella body Cosla will be among the organisations invited to take part, and the new body is expected to be set up this year.
The group is one of several actions the minister announced in a statement at Holyrood in response to the recommendations in a September report from the Independent Advisory Group on Hate Crime.
Ms Constance said she will also agree a hate crime charter with public transport operators, run a public awareness campaign on the issue in October, and work with unions to tackle the offence in the workplace.
She said the issue of online abuse will be examined as, although there is no silver bullet, “social media companies have a role in removing unacceptable content and ensuring their users have a safe experience”.
Further measures include working with Police Scotland to produce more detailed statistics on hate crime.
Ms Constance said: “Our response to the advisory group outlines what I consider an ambitious but practical range of steps that will continue our work to build one Scotland with many cultures where everyone has the opportunity to flourish and everyone can live in peace.
“An attack on one is an attack against us all and recent events have emphasised the importance of unity in the face of those who would seek to divide us.
“The terrorist atrocities in Manchester and London serve to remind us not only of the terrible dangers of hatred and intolerance but also of the hugely inspiring way in which whole communities can rally round to demonstrate unity, support each other and stand up to hatred.”