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RJ Update, February 07
Welcome to the new look RJS Update (Racial Justice Scotland). The Update will continue to be a monthly information sheet which will seek to inform about trends and developments in relation to racial justice (and integration), report on racist incidents, asylum and immigration, and give information about events and resources.
I will be very grateful to everyone who would like to contribute to the Update with news, views and essays. Please email me your contribution.
You will also be able to read this update on the website: www.racialjusticescotland.org.uk. Please bookmark this page.
1. Racist incidents:
Racist crime is still on the rise in Scotland. Between April and December 2006, the country's eight police forces recorded 3,387 racially-aggravated crimes and offences, an increase of 6 percent, compared with 3,192 during the same period in the previous year. This rise despite efforts of the Scottish Executive through Onescotland campaign.
Racial crimes on increase in Scotland BBC, 27 Dec 06
Increase in race hate crimes casts doubt on 'One Scotland' campaign
Racist crime is growing across Scotland despite a multi-million-pound Executive campaign to tackle the problem, new figures obtained by The Scotsman have revealed. Scotsman, 27 Dec 06
Concerns were recently raised after a Polish man was bitten up in Edinburgh
Are Poles the new victims of racism in Scotland?
Racism against new migrant workers must be tackled by politicians immediately, the head of the Commission for Racial Equality has warned after a tripling in complaints about discrimination towards people from eastern Europe. Scotsman, 6 Feb 07
2. News and developments
On 25th of January the Scottish Executive has launched a new advertising campaign to stamp out racism in Scotland. This is part of the ongoing Onescotland campaign to highlight its negative impact and recognise the valuable contributions that other cultures have made to our society - and make Scotland no place for racism.
The new UK Borders Bill is currently debated in the parliament.
Institute of Race Relation poses a number of critical questions to this bill. Dangers of the UK Borders Bill A leading immigration lawyer points out the dangers in the UK Borders Bill.
8 February 2007
In the aftermath of the Big brother row the question still posed by many: Is Britain Racist?
How racist is Britain?
Events on Big Brother have ignited a fierce debate about Britain and racism. While researching his new book about the British psyche, philosopher Julian Baggini spent six months living in Rotherham, Yorkshire. Here, he explains why he doesn't believe most white Britons are racists - even though he heard racist language almost everywhere he went Guardian, 23 Jan 07
The Commission for Racial Equality announces investigation into Department of Health for failings on race equality
A formal investigation into the Department of Health to uncover the extent to which it is failing to meet its duty to promote race equality under the Race Relations Act 1976 was announced by the Commission for Racial Equality today. As part of their duty under the Act, government departments are required to assess new policies and legislation for their impact on race equality as this ensures that there are no adverse or unbalanced effects on different communities. Monitoring and enforcement action is a significant part of the CRE's legal business as regulator of race relations legislation. The CRE has proactively monitored the performance of Whitehall departments on race equality since February 2004 CRE website, 7 Feb 07
3. Elections report
It is reported that the BNP will get a considerable sum of money from public funds to use for their electoral campaign.
BNP to get (gbp) 670,000 from taxpayers to fund campaign
Politicians and anti-racism campaigners reacted with outrage last night when it emerged that the far-right British National Party was to get its own election broadcast during this year's Holyrood campaign as well as hundreds of thousands of pounds in free election publicity from the taxpayer. Scotsman, 7 Feb 07
BNP to field candidate in n-east Political extremists will target the North-east during May's elections.
The British National Party - which has been accused of encouraging racism - is preparing to field parliamentary and council candidates. A former sergeant major will contest the Turriff and District ward on Aberdeenshire Council and is the party's list candidate for the North-east. Press and Journal 6Feb 07
4. Asylum refugees
The Independent Asylum Commission, a new independently-run national "citizens' enquiry", has begun its activities. They will hear evidences of inhumane treatment of asylum seekers from public throughout Britain. They will be in Glasgow in June 07. Find out more about them from their website.
Motherwell prepares to welcome refugees from DRC
77 refugees from the DRC are due to arrive in Motherwell. They are being relocated under the Gateway Protection Programme.
3 January 07, Wishaw Press
Scotland's largest teaching union, the Education Institute of Scotland, has issued a statement to condemn the 'forced extradition' of asylum seekers in dawn raids Education Institute of Scotland, 3 Jan 07
5. Marking the Bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade
Churches march to mark 'regret' over slavery
Scottish church leaders and politicians will mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade by retracing the steps an illegitimate son took to confront his father - a Scots slavemaster. On March 25, Action of Churches Together in Scotland (Acts), which unites nine denominations, has asked its members to express their "regret" at Scotland's role in slavery by walking from Musselburgh town centre to Inveresk Lodge, once home to Jamaican plantation owner James Wedderburn. Sunday Herald 4 Feb 2007,
The study of Britain's involvement in the slave trade is set to become a compulsory history topic for secondary school pupils. CEHR
6. Publications:
UNISON in Scotland published a booklet, 'The Asylum Myths', to challenge the lies told about immigration. Download the booklet from UNISON webpage (pdf file, 184kb)