MORE will be done to fast-track people from minority backgrounds into positions of influence in Scottish society, after ministers signalled an expansion of positive discrimination policies.
A new Scottish Government strategy, which aims to stamp out institutional racism, sets out an intention to "shift gear" to combat discrimination and acknowledges frustrations that progress has been too slow.
Among the commitments are efforts to promote "positive action" practices, meaning race will be a factor employers take into account in recruitment and promotion decisions, to ensure increases in the number of police officers from ethnic minority groups as well as increasing representation in the NHS. The Scottish Government wants the make-up of its employees to reflect the wider Scottish population "at every level" by 2025.
Targets will be considered in lists of individuals put forward for recognition under the UK honours system, despite SNP ministers' long-standing commitment to having "no role" in the process.
A drive is to be launched to increase the number of decision-makers in politics, boardrooms and the charity sector. Currently, less than half of the country's ethnic minority population are classed as "politically active", compared to nearly two thirds of white people.
The document was published as Nicola Sturgeon told an audience of young voters that her party would do more to promote ethnic minority candidates, with just two of the country's 128 MSPs currently falling into the category.
The First Minister, who was challenged by a young audience member over whether the make-up of Holyrood reflected Scotland, said she did not believe the current situation was acceptable and suggested that a similar approach to using all female shortlists to select party candidates could be extended to ethnic minority groups.
She said: "I want to see a parliament that is as representative as possible of Scottish society. That means having more people from ethnic minorities, it means having more women, more people with disabilities.
"We've got to go much further. My responsibility in that is to make sure my party's procedures don't pose any barriers to people getting selected on merit... We've got more women selected for this election than we ever had before, some of things we've done there we want to do now with ethnic minority groups. That means mentoring schemes, working with our local branches and constituencies to encourage people to come forward, sometimes it will mean distinct, positive action rules."
The report states that despite positive changes in recent years, racism remains a "lived and daily experience for too many people" and highlights damning statistics showing that ethnic minority groups face lower employment rates and higher risks of poverty.
It also cites a survey that found 45 per cent of Scots felt the country would begin to lose its identity if more black and Asian people moved in and warned that institutional racism remained a feature of society.
Concern over Police Scotland's use of stop and search among minority communities was highlighted, and while no evidence exits to suggest those from ethnic backgrounds are unfairly targeted, the impact of the policy on race relations will be examined. More work will be carried out with the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland to ensure staff are trained effectively on equality issues.
It is intended that the Race Equality Framework document will remain in place until 2030, and states that ambition is needed to deliver a Scotland where racism and racial inequalities no longer exist.
Jatin Haria, Executive Director of the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, said: "If we can ensure that work on the commitments outlined in the Framework is effectively progressed, then by 2030 we will be well on our way to building a country where people from all ethnicities truly share a common sense of purpose and belonging; a truly anti-racist Scotland."
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