WIREDGOV

Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing has made clear the Government's determination to eradicate the sectarian attitudes and actions that have blighted Scotland for so long.

In a statement to the Parliament, Fergus Ewing set out plans to increase the use of Football Banning Orders (FBO's). He announced an evaluation of the use of FBO's to ensure that they are being used to the full in tackling the violence and abusive behaviour, including sectarian abuse, that sometimes occurs at or around matches.

He also made clear that he wants to work with CoSLA and ACPOS to consider how the 2006 Statement on Tackling Abusive Behaviour at Marches and Parades could be used at a more local level to ensure all parties involved in parades consider the impact and disruption they can cause and work together for the good of all communities.

The Minister also set out the work already underway to tackle sectarianism including support for anti-sectarian organisations, the Promoting Citizenship through Football Partnership and educational resources for schools.

Fergus Ewing said:

"For far too long sectarianism has plagued the lives of many of our people. Tackling discrimination, wherever and whenever it arises, is the responsibility of us all.

"This Government's strategy on tackling sectarianism is based on funding key projects and bringing together organisations to work together to send a clear message throughout the country that sectarianism is never acceptable, never excusable.

"We are already funding Nil By Mouth, Sense Over Sectarianism and Show Racism the Red Card, working directly in our communities to tackle sectarianism and discrimination. We have also set up The Working Group on Racial and Religious Intolerance, The Fooball Banning Orders Monitoring Group and The Promoting Citizenship through Football Partnership.

"Football Banning Orders are an important weapon in tackling abusive behaviour in or around our football grounds. Statistics show that there is a higher use of FBO's south of the border. Although England and Wales have had FBO's for longer, I want us to look at their experience to see if any lessons can be learned.

"I want to ensure that they are sought on every occasion that sectarian abuse, violence or disorder occurs and that is why I will be asking the FBO Monitoring Group to look at their use to date.

"Scotland has many marches and parades every year. Although the vast majority of them pass without incident, a minority of them can be the cause of public disorder and other forms of antisocial behaviour which can disrupt our communities. I want to work with the police and local authorities to ensure that we can work together for the good of all our communities.

"Sectarianism has blighted Scotland for too long. But working together we are committed to building a Scotland where sectarianism is consigned to the dustbin of history, a Scotland that recognises and celebrates that all our faiths and cultures make us a better, stronger nation."

Football Banning Orders (FBO's)

Football Banning Orders (FBOs) prevent banned individuals from attending matches involving national teams or Scottish, English or Welsh club teams and can also prevent them from travelling to football matches abroad, for up to 10 years. These were introduced in Scotland on September 1, 2006. The legislation on FBO's in England and Wales has been in place since 2000.

Football Banning Orders send out an important message that violent behaviour and abusive language will not be tolerated in Scotland's football grounds. The Scottish Police Service only seek FBOs for high level offences (acts of violence, disorder, sectarian and racial).

The FBO Monitoring Group has been working to improve the implementation of FBOs in Scotland. The Scottish Government recently secured a change in the law to make all FBOs enforceable across the UK. We are looking to everyone involved, including ACPOS, Crown Office, the Scottish Court Service, and the judiciary to pull together to achieve this.

Marches and parades

The Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 gave responsibility for the regulation of marches and parades in Scotland to local authorities.

Local authorities, in consultation with the local Chief Constable, are in the best position to decide whether a particular event should go ahead, and whether any restrictions should be placed on that event.

The Scottish Government supports local authorities in making decisions which balance the rights of those who wish to march with those of the communities through which the march may pass.

It is legitimate for local authorities and police to encourage march organisers to consider the strain on resources presented by large scale or contentious events, and to take this into account in the planning process. Everyone involved in the planning process has responsibility for ensuring the safety and security of the communities through which marches and parades pass. There should be room for discussion on routes, dates, and number of marches where appropriate.

The Marches and Parades Consultation Report published in February encouraged local authorities, police and march organisers to work together to reduce police costs where possible.