This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Ethnic minorities 'reassured' on race crime
12/03/2003
The Ethnic Minorities Law Centre (EMLC) was told at a seminar today that the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) was committed to tackling racial discrimination and racially motivated crime.
Solicitor General Elish Angiolini QC intended to reassure ethnic minority communities throughout Scotland that racially motivated crimes would continue to be dealt with seriously, particularly at this time of heightened international tension.
Delivering the keynote speech, the Solicitor General said:
"Given the current international tension, I believe that it is very important that I make clear the seriousness with which we treat racially motivated crime.
"Ethnic minority communities may be feeling more vulnerable at the moment and I want to underline our determination that racially motivated crime will not damage the safety and security of our communities. We will continue to deal vigorously with racially motivated crime."
Ms Angiolini set out progress on the implementation of the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 within COPFS and pledged that the department would continue to take a long-term, proactive approach.
"We are committed to taking forward the provisions of the Act and have made significant strides already. I believe this is key to achieving the Lord Advocate's vision of a modern, effective prosecution service responsive to and understanding of the needs of all the communities we serve."
"We are not complacent, however, and recognise that there is still much to be done. We are in this for the long term and will continue to review and assess our progress to ensure we are on track."
The EMLC and COPFS have recently embarked on a training initiative in which three legal trainee solicitors of the COPFS will be seconded to the EMLC to work with a solicitor in each of the Centre's specialist areas - race discrimination; immigration; and asylum law.
The three Glasgow-based trainees, Lynne Barrie, Julie Kirkland and Carey Henderson, will be seconded until August 2003 - a two-week placement will be followed by one day a week thereafter. The initiative will be reviewed at the end of the secondment and consideration given to extending the practice at other locations in Scotland.
The Ethnic Minorities Law Centre provides ethnic minority communities in the west of Scotland with access to professional services to address unmet legal needs.
They have particular expertise in the areas of immigration, asylum law, race discrimination and employment issues.
EMLC
41 St Vincent Square
Glasgow G1 2ER
Tel: 0141 204 2888
www.emlc.org.uk