We value Scotland's diverse faith and belief communities and the important role they play in making Scotland a safer, stronger and more inclusive society, where everyone can live in peace and realise their potential.
Actions
To help achieve this we:
- work with Interfaith Scotland to promote interfaith dialogue and support faith and belief communities
- support Scotland's national Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration and Srebrenica Memorial Day to ensure lessons are learnt about what can happen if hatred remains unchecked
- work to tackle hate crime to make sure no individual or community experiences discrimination due to their faith or belief
- fund a variety of faith and belief organisations to tackle religious intolerance and promote equality and community cohesion
Background
The Equality Act 2010 brought together existing equality legislation. It focuses on people with the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, sex, sexual orientation and religion and belief.
Bills and legislation
- Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003
- Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act 2009
- Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010
- Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012
Contact
Email: ceu@gov.scot – Central Enquiry Unit
Phone: 0300 244 4000 – Central Enquiry Unit
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG