AN activist group has welcomed a UN committee's recommendation that the Scottish Government take action on anti-Irish racism.
The National reported on Friday that the UN's Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) had told the Government to address discrimination against Scotland's Irish community.
Dave Scott, director of anti-sectarianism group Nil by Mouth, said that the news was a "high level reminder" that racial and religious prejudice lingers in Scottish society.
He continued: "It's not just on social media platforms but in day-to-day life, with serious consequences in the real world for victims of this type of hatred.
"We've supported people who have been physically assaulted, bullied and victimised because of their perceived religion or ethnic background, with several incidents occurring in workplaces – including within police services.
"I'm aware that the Scottish Government meets with faith leaders and the Irish Consul regularly, and it's important that these lines of communication are open, honest and responsive."
The CERD recommendation comes as Irish and Catholic communities have faced another marching season, which saw the Provost of Inverclyde Council, Drew McKenzie, make sectarian remarks in a daily newspaper column in our sister paper, the Greenock Telegraph.
McKenzie later apologised for the column.
Friday's report marks the first time the committee has addressed anti-Irish discrimination in Scotland.
CERD said it was "concerned" about ethnic and religious prejudice, along with racist incidents, directed at Irish people in the country.
The report recommended that the Scottish Government engage with the Irish community in order to develop measures to address the discrimination and prejudice it faces.
The remainder of the section of the report concerning Scotland discussed sectarianism in Northern Ireland.
The Scottish Government was contacted for comment.
