Did anyone else that took time to complain get a similar reply?
Thank you for your email on 4th November to Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans,
regarding sectarian behaviour. The Cabinet Secretary receives a large volume of correspondence, and
I hope you appreciate that it is not possible for him to respond personally to each one. I work in the
Community Safety Unit and have been asked to respond.
Sectarian behaviour is completely unacceptable and I would firstly like to reassure you that we
unequivocally condemn any form of hatred or prejudice. I understand why you are concerned, bigoted
behaviour should have no place in any community across Scotland. The Scottish Government believes
that everyone has the right to be safe and to feel safe and we are committed to tackling all forms of
discrimination and promoting a multi-cultural society based on mutual trust, respect and understanding.
The Scottish Government cannot ban the use of individual words as it is the context of when and how a
word or words are used that is important when determining if a crime has been committed. We do of
course recognise that the use of words or phrases can be considered offensive and that this can be
very distressing to the individual hearing the comment, though it is important to note that this does not
automatically mean that the language used breaches the criminal threshold.
You may be aware the new Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill has extended existing
legislation to introduce new stirring up hatred offences for protected characteristics, including religion
and race (which covers nationality, citizenship, ethnic and/or national origins). This was in recognition that
stirring up hatred can incite people to commit offences and contribute to an atmosphere in which
prejudice is accepted as normal. The new offences, once in force, will extend greater protection for
those who suffer from this kind of behaviour.
However, we understand that legislation in and of itself is not enough. In June 2017, we established a
ministerial-led Action Group, with key stakeholders, to take forward an ambitious programme of work to
tackle hate crime and building communities cohesion. The document can be found here:
government-response-report-independent/ . The key priorities identified by the Action Group included
victim support through raising awareness of hate crime and encouraging report and the need to ensure
better data and evidence.
In December 2021, we published a report on progress of the Tackling Prejudice and Building Connected Communities Action Plan and now begin development of a new hate
crime strategy which will be published this year and support implementation of the Hate Crime and
Public Order (Scotland) Act.
We also continue to take forward the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism
in Scotland which were reviewed by Professor Duncan Morrow in March 2017. Since 2012, we have
invested over £15.5 million to tackle sectarianism. This work continues to focus on and be delivered
through education projects in schools, colleges, communities, workplaces and prisons, providing for
both children and adults. This includes the work of the Fair Play Foundation, Nil by Mouth and Sense
Over Sectarianism. More information about this work can be found on the
Action on Sectarianism Website.
Sectarianism is a societal issue, but we do recognise that one of the ways that it manifests publicly is
through football – that is why we also continue to encourage all clubs and governing bodies to do
everything in their power to tackle sectarianism on their grounds. While the vast majority of football
supporters are well-behaved, there is clearly still a significant problem which all of those with an ability to
influence and to change must contribute to eradicating. Any issues around behaviour at football
matches are a matter for the clubs involved, the Scottish Professional Football Association, the Scottish
Football Association and, in the event of any criminality, Police Scotland. Our preferred solution has
always been that football steps up to address this long-standing problem with meaningful solutions. It is
important for football to demonstrate leadership.
As taking appropriate action in response to specific criminal offences is a matter for Police Scotland
and the Scottish Government cannot (by law) direct Police Scotland in their operational approach, you
also may wish to raise some of your concerns directly with the Chief Constable. Full details about their
complaints process can be found at the following address on Police Scotland’s website:
complaint/ .
We continue to encourage anyone who believes they have experienced or witnessed any form of hate
crime to report it to Police Scotland by dialling 999 in emergencies or 101 in non-emergencies.
Alternatively, reports can be made online by completing Police Scotland’s online hate crime reporting form. There are also third party reporting centres where specially trained staff can provide support and
assistance in submitting a report to the police on your behalf. Details of these can be found here:
centres/. Hate crimes can also be reported 100% anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers at:
https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously
.
I hope you find this information helpful.
Yours sincerely
