We support ethnic minorities, combat discrimination, and engage with young Scots to foster cultural pride. Work Summary and Achievements from December 1990 to June 2024
This Council’s name depicts British/Scottish first before the ethnic origin. It is a grassroot ethnic minority organisation, registered as a charity with the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR). The main aim remains to enhance integration and peace within the multicultural vibrant Scotland whilst pursuing policies arising out of casework. Over the past 33 years CBP(S) has provided services to 44 different nationalities in as many areas. Whilst provision of support to individuals is vital, development of policy in pursuit of racial equality has always been our main aim. This has involved working closely with the Legal Profession, Judiciary, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), Police Scotland, the Local and National Government and its departments; particularly the Home Office, Foreign Office, UKVI and UK Border Force, and institutions such as HMRC, education institutions, financial institutions, including Nationwide but more particularly Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking group. Supporting ethnic religious and cultural organizations is our key function. Our research showed underrepresentation of EMCs in mainstream employment. All employers need to accelerate dealing with actual or perceived racial discrimination at their workplace. Our work on Incompatible and Forced Marriages was a factor in enabling the Scottish Government to enact the Forced Marriages etc. (Protection and Jurisdiction) Scotland Act 2011 paving the way for mainstream provisions in this area; including those for male victims, often ignored, as well as domestic violence. Our key publication on “Cultural Equivalents for Entrance to UK Medical Schools” assisted the selection panels to redress discrimination in the medical school’s entry selection process. It has been the central theme of our work, particularly since the terrorist attacks in UK, that communities must take all appropriate actions to ensure that the ‘enemies within’ or their accomplices abroad do not cause any harm to this great country of ours. Prevention of terrorism and associated activities remain the priority. This has involved work with religious leaders, the youth and the appropriate UK and Scottish authorities. Developing a strategy to combat radicalization, extremism and terrorism through encouraging modification to the constitution and practices of religious and community organizations in a major way to deal with this. Discussions with Police Scotland, Home Office, OSCR and Scottish Executive have been productive but tedious and very slow. We periodically hold social functions, inviting a cross section of society. The one in September 2018 was of particular significance. Lord David Hope, Cross bench Peer, was the guest speaker. He retired as the Deputy President of the UK Supreme Courts but is currently helping UAE to modernise its commercial courts. Lady Anne Smith, recently retired High Court Judge, currently winding up the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, was a key guest. She was then also head of Scottish Tribunals and made a presentation, on behalf of this Council, to Mungo Deans, retiring as inaugural Immigration judge for Immigration Tribunals in Scotland. Both senior judges have supported this Council’s work over a long period. The Courts in Scotland have led the way in integrating racially motivated hate crime as an aggravated factor in sentencing. The May 2023 paper presented to the Scottish Police Authority, by the then Chief Constable for Police Scotland, admitting that the Police Force is Institutional Racist, was long overdue. Structural racism is not confined to Police. We are working flat out with the senior police officers to see its implementation and discussing its implications for other institutions. Our priority for the foreseeable future is to engage with young Scots of Pakistani descent, between the ages of 15 to 25, to meet their cultural deficit needs. Our innovative work aims to bridge this gap by fostering a sense of belonging and cultural pride via a multi-faceted approach. This will focus on heritage characteristics and skills training through a programme of workshops to help this cohort cultivate a strong identity through both Scottish and Pakistani values and develop a sense of community. Differing cultural backgrounds often lead to feelings of alienation and lack of support from the community. This cultural disconnect can further lead to feelings of vulnerability and isolation, pushing these young Scots to seek belonging elsewhere, sometimes in harmful radicalisation situations with harmful ramifications. A part of the approach there will be Safe Space Clinics hosted to discuss their challenges, understand concerns and offer support. This includes issues related to identity, mother tongue, healthy eating, forced marriages, career guidance, sexual health, mental health, and community cohesion. Above all, love for Scotland and its safety.
