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Independent Advisory Group publishes final report.

The Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Paul Wheelhouse, has welcomed the publication of the final report by the independent Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland.

The work, published yesterday, will help to shape the future development of the Scottish Government’s agenda on tackling sectarianism. 

Paul Wheelhouse said yesterday: 

“This publication marks a significant step forward in helping us to tackle the issue of sectarianism in Scotland once and for all and I would like to offer my thanks to the independent Advisory Group for their hard work in producing a very informative and useful report.

“The group members are all recognised experts in this field – and the independent advice that they have provided us with has helped shape our work so far to tackle sectarianism. As we look to the future, this valuable work will continue to shape our response to this deep-rooted problem.

“This Scottish Government will continue to do all it can to create a Scotland free from the scourge of sectarianism through a range of approaches.

“Our recent commitment to a further £3 million of funding for the year 2015/16 will allow a wide range of initiatives to continue to tackle sectarianism at a local level and in the most appropriate way possible for each individual community. Already 38 projects have been identified to benefit from funding and we are confident that they will not only make a real difference at a grassroots level but will also contribute to the nationwide aim of a Scotland free from sectarianism. 

“As a result of the work undertaken by the independent Advisory Group and our many community based projects we now understand the nature and extent of sectarianism better than ever before. 

“The level of debate around this issue has been raised significantly and we are moving towards a position where sectarianism is understood as a social problem that individuals can tackle in practical ways, based on knowledge and understanding.

“The report published today makes it clear that the approach we are taking is the right one. It also confirms that each and every person in Scotland has a part to play in tackling sectarianism and I would urge everyone in Scotland to consider how they can help stamp out this issue.

“No one should have to face discrimination or prejudice in any form in 21st Century Scotland. It is never acceptable and it will not be tolerated.”

Chair of the Independent Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland, Dr Duncan Morrow, added: 

“Our work over the last two years has explored how sectarianism continues to manifest itself in Scotland today and how it still has the power to impact negatively on people’s lives. 

“But we have also seen a strong hunger for change across Scotland and a real desire to make sectarianism a thing of the past. I believe that this desire amounts to a real commitment from Scotland’s communities and a challenge for leaders and institutions to set out a clear and inclusive vision that rejects avoidance and blame. 

“Above all, it is time to step up and take action to build a Scotland where difference stops being a cause for division and becomes a cause for celebration.”

Notes To Editors

The final report by the Independent Advisory Group on Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland is available here:http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/05/4296

The Scottish Government’s response to the Advisory Group’s report is available here:http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/05/9735

You can find out more about the recent announcement of £3 million to tackle sectarianism here:http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Further-3-million-announced-to-tackle-sectarianism-1915.aspx

A review of empirical evidence on sectarianism, also published yesterday is available here:http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/05/5191/downloads

It presents a collation of the evidence including more recently commissioned research on sectarianism, including the Scottish Attitudes Survey: ‘Public Attitudes to Sectarianism’, ‘Community Experiences of Sectarianism’ and the ‘Community Impact of Public Processions’ all published in February 2015. The research also used Census data to investigate whether there appears to be any structural disadvantage for individuals who identify as Catholic or those who identify with the Church of Scotland.