AN activist group has welcomed a UN committee's recommendation that the Scottish Government take action on anti-Irish racism.
The National reported on Friday that the UN's Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) had told the Government to address discrimination against Scotland's Irish community.
Dave Scott, director of anti-sectarianism group Nil by Mouth, said that the news was a "high level reminder" that racial and religious prejudice lingers in Scottish society.
READ MORE: How George Osborne laid the groundwork for austerity – and Keir Starmer copied him
He continued: "It's not just on social media platforms but in day-to-day life, with serious consequences in the real world for victims of this type of hatred.
"We've supported people who have been physically assaulted, bullied and victimised because of their perceived religion or ethnic background, with several incidents occurring in workplaces – including within police services.
"I'm aware that the Scottish Government meets with faith leaders and the Irish Consul regularly, and it's important that these lines of communication are open, honest and responsive."
READ MORE: Labour's first UK Government Budget will be 'painful', Keir Starmer says
The CERD recommendation comes as Irish and Catholic communities have faced another marching season, which saw the Provost of Inverclyde Council, Drew McKenzie, make sectarian remarks in a daily newspaper column in our sister paper, the Greenock Telegraph.
McKenzie later apologised for the column.
Friday's report marks the first time the committee has addressed anti-Irish discrimination in Scotland.
CERD said it was "concerned" about ethnic and religious prejudice, along with racist incidents, directed at Irish people in the country.
The report recommended that the Scottish Government engage with the Irish community in order to develop measures to address the discrimination and prejudice it faces.
The remainder of the section of the report concerning Scotland discussed sectarianism in Northern Ireland.
The Scottish Government was contacted for comment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel