Scotland's Gypsies and Travellers in New Amnesty Reports

Amnesty International Scotland has produced two new reports: On the Margins - Local authority service provision for Scottish Gypsy Travellers; and Caught in the Headlines - Scottish media coverage of Scottish Gypsy Travellers.

By Christopher Preece

On the Margins:

Amnesty found a mixed response from local authorities in relation to services for Scottish Gypsy Travellers. They were 'disappointed' that some local authorities have made slow progress in upholding housing rights and ending racial discrimination against this marginalised community.

Recommendations from the report are far reaching for the Scottish Government, Scottish Housing Regulator and Local Authorities.

Caught in the Headlines:

Amnesty's research found that for such a small population in Scotland (about 20,000 people which is less than 0.5 percent of the Scottish Population)there was a disproportionate amount of articles in the media (about 1.5 per day). Half of these articles were negative, the majority did not involve Scottish Travellers and many of then referred to criminality, dirt and hygiene.

The report recommends that journalists and editors adhere to ethical codes of conduct and standards, build relationships with Scottish Gypsy Travellers and that the Scottish Government take a lead in promoting reconciliation between the settled community and Scottish Gypsy Travellers.

Both these reports can be freely downloaded and printed from Amnesty International.

Direct download links:

On the Margins

Caught in the Headlines