Asked by: Choudhury, Foysol (Scottish Labour - Lothian)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Islamophobia Awareness Month 2023, what action it is taking to support Police Scotland in recognising and tackling Islamophobic abuse (a) in person and (b) online.
Answered by Brown, Siobhian - Minister for Victims and Community Safety
Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM) shines a light on the continuing presence of Islamophobia in our society, and the impact that anti-Muslim hatred can have.
The Scottish Government is taking action to implement our new Hate Crime Strategy for tackling all forms of hate crime, including Islamophobic hate crime. The strategy was developed in partnership with a range of organisations who have expertise in tackling hatred and prejudice, including Police Scotland who are members of our Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group.
Our Hate Crime Strategy Delivery Plan, published 20 November, outlines our priorities for tackling hate crime until 2026. The delivery plan sets out our action in relation to the strategy’s commitments, including support for victims and reporting, improving data and evidence on hate crime and developing effective approaches to prevention. It will also support implementation of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021.
Whilst regulation of internet services is reserved to the UK Government, we will consider the impacts of online hate crime, recognising the need to continuously improve and adapt to align with changes online. We want to ensure people – including children and young people – know how to keep safe online, including on social media.
We will continue to engage with the UK Government as they implement the Online Safety Act.
Mentions:
1: Steve Baker (Con - Wycombe) will take a moment to recognise that the United Nations has made today International Day to Combat Islamophobia - Speech Link
Mentions:
1: Lucy Powell (LAB - Manchester Central) We have seen a huge rise in antisemitism, Islamophobia, hate and the intimidation of elected representatives - Speech Link
2: Rehman Chishti (Con - Gillingham and Rainham) week, the Government-funded organisation Tell MAMA published its latest data on anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia - Speech Link
Mentions:
1: Yvette Cooper (Lab - Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford) of the law.In the weeks following 7 October, I met the CST together with Tell MAMA, which monitors Islamophobia - Speech Link
2: Ronnie Cowan (SNP - Inverclyde) The sharp rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia in the UK is extremely concerning, and the SNP extends - Speech Link
3: Debbie Abrahams (Lab - Oldham East and Saddleworth) Antisemitism is absolutely unacceptable; hate crime, including Islamophobia, is absolutely unacceptable - Speech Link
Found: Re-launch of Islamophobia inquiry It was noted that the re -launch of the Islamophobia inquiry recommendations
Mentions:
1: Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (Lab - Life peer) non-crime hate incidents, meaning that the personal details of people who perpetrate anti-Semitism and Islamophobia - Speech Link
2: Lord Bishop of Norwich (Bshp - Bishops) Anti-Semitism has been said to be a “light sleeper”, but it is very much wide awake at this time, and a lot of Islamophobia - Speech Link
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester, Gorton)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which (a) individuals and (b) organisations his Department is consulting on religious hatred.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
Anti-Muslim hatred is abhorrent and has no place in our society. No one should ever be a victim of hatred because of their religion or belief and the Government continues to work with police and community partners to monitor and combat it. We have funded Tell MAMA, a service that supports victims of anti-Muslim hatred, with over £6 million since their inception in 2012.
In light of the rise in anti-Muslim hate incidents being reported, the Government has increased Tell MAMA’s funding to £1 million this year. This funding will provide additional resource to the service they are providing to support victims of anti-Muslim hatred.
The department has given careful consideration to the use of language and definitions. The definition of Islamophobia as proposed by the APPG is not in line with the Equality Act 2010, which defines race in terms of colour, nationality and national or ethnic origins. The term anti-Muslim hatred is a more precise term which better reflects UK hate crime legislation.
The department is seeking the views and perspectives of domestic and international leaders and experts in this field to explore how religious hatred is experienced by British communities.
Mentions:
1: Zarah Sultana (Lab - Coventry South) With rising Islamophobia and racist tropes asking British Muslims to prove their loyalty, Mr Deputy Speaker - Speech Link