Scottish Gypsy Traveller (Discrimination) Bill
Securing legal recognition for ethnic minority status of Scottish Gypsy Travellers has always been a high priority for the Scottish Gypsy Traveller Law Reform Coalition because of the legal protection that it could provide. It was often asked by Scottish Gypsy Travellers: “If English Romani Gypsies and Irish Travellers have legal protection against racism and discrimination why don’t we?”
The historical and memorable ruling for us by Employment Judge Hosie on 20 October 2008 concludes that we have “ethnic origins” and therefore we now for the first time enjoy legal protection under the 1978 Race Relations Act.
The ruling however does not necessarily end racial prejudice and discrimination against us. Such behaviour can now however be challenged in a court of law.
We cannot however be complacent. We need to strengthen legislation to ensure that the current protection is assured.
This is why the Scottish Gypsy Traveller Law Reform Coalition sought legal advice and commissioned the drawing up of this draft Bill.
We would like to give you the opportunity to comment on the Bill. Please send any comments to: The Secretary SGTLRC, C/o Old Balnakilly, Kirkmichael, Perthshire PH10 7NB You can also contact Roseanna McPhee on 0755 424 6156 or bansith@hotmail.com should you wish to discuss the contents further, make comments or if you have any queries.
Please return any comments by 21 March 2009.
Thanking you, Mark Kennedy (Secretary)
From: Scottish Gypsy Traveller Law Reform Coalition (04/02/09)
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