Issued: 21 November 2005
Racism Tackled in Angus
The commitment of organisations throughout Angus towards eradicating racism was underlined today (21 November 2005) when the Angus Racial Incident Multi Agency Panel (RIMAP) unveiled its policy statement and working practices document.
Those who participate in the panel - Tayside Police, Angus Council, Victim Support (Angus), and NHS Tayside - are reaffirming their opposition to racism and racist abuse through their support of the document.
The participating agencies are committed to working together to eliminate discrimination, racist abuse and harassment and further the promotion of good relationships between and towards minority ethnic communities within Angus.
The panel was established in 2003, to tackle racist harassment and attacks in the county by deciding on overall policy and strategy and by recording and co-ordinating responses to individual racist incidents.
Opening the launch event, Angus Provost Bill Middleton said: "A modern, dynamic and vibrant Angus is one that fosters integration, but respects diversity.
"We need to challenge racism in all its forms, but it is not just malicious or intended racism that creates barriers as discrimination exists by both design or default.
"The four partners of the Angus RIMAP have a duty to show leadership in tackling the damaging impact prejudice and discrimination can have in the workplace, schools, public services and on our streets.
"Since it was established the panel has done much to monitor and tackle racist crimes and incidents in Angus, and the policy statement and working practices document offers a framework that ensure a joined up approach to enable us to reduce the impact of discrimination and bring about a truly equal society, rich in diversity and free from fear or disadvantage."
NHS Tayside Chief Executive, Professor Tony Wells, says, "NHS Tayside takes very seriously its commitment to tackle racism and work in partnership to eliminate racism from our society. The Angus RIMAP policy statement launched today is another positive step towards tackling racism and supporting our staff and our communities to have the confidence to report racist incidents."
Copies of the policy statement and working practices document will be available in public buildings, schools, surgeries and police offices throughout Angus.
In addition leaflets and posters have been designed to publicise the document and the work of the panel, and these have been produced in translated forms such as Arabic, Polish, Russian, Urdu and Chinese to reflect the diversity of Angus communities.