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SCPO Parliamentary News Summary: April
2012
As we rapidly approach May, it is a time of political change,
yet there is also a sense of déjà vu in some of what we have seen
happening in Parliament recently. On 3 May, voters will elect
representatives to sit in Scotland's 32 local authorities. Taking
important decisions on issues which affect the everyday lives of
everyone in Scotland, votes cast on Thursday 3 May will have
important consequences in the way that education, social care, and
community services are delivered over the next 5 years and beyond.
At Westminster, the Queen's Speech on 9 May will set out the UK
Government's legislative priorities for the year ahead. The SCPO
continues to pay close attention to issues covered in the UK
Parliament, particularly those which have direct impact on Scottish
affairs.
Yet amidst this time of new announcements and new faces, some
things are more familiar: poverty, inequality and injustice
continue to remain on the agenda, and the need to speak out in
solidarity with the vulnerable in our society remains a crucial
part of Scottish Churches' engagement at all levels of
government.
The
Commission on Women Offenders, established by the Scottish
Government and led by former Lord Advocate, Dame Elish Angiolini,
has published its final report. The headline call for the
closure of HMP Cornton Vale is only one aspect of the Commission's
proposals. Calling for radical reforms to the way female
offenders are treated in the criminal justice system, there is an
emphasis on community reintegration, individual mentoring and
family support, recognising that for many women trapped in the
cycle of entering and re-entering the criminal justice system, they
are victims of their circumstances, often victims of domestic
abuse, many with mental health problems. However, the report
thus far is only a collection of suggested action points: it will
be for politicians to decide whether the recommendations are acted
upon. The Joint Faiths Advisory Board on Criminal Justice
submitted evidence to the Commission, and is keen to see this
report be taken seriously by politicians.
This month,
the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland joined
with asylum and refugee support organisations to highlight the
plight of a group of asylum seekers who are facing imminent
homelessness and destitution when they are evicted from their
current accommodation in Glasgow. Appealing to Glasgow City
Council, the Scottish Government and the Scotland Office, Rev Ian
Galloway questioned the lack of compassion towards the group of
around 140 people whose asylum claims have been refused, yet they
cannot return to the countries of origin, which include Iran,
Somalia, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. Rev Galloway said of the
asylum seekers: "unable to return countries where they will almost
certainly encounter oppression and violence, they now face fear and
uncertainty here in Scotland, a country which had initially offered
them sanctuary and a place of safety."
Churches have also been submitting their responses to the
consultation run by Margo MacDonald MSP, who hopes to introduce a
Bill into the Scottish Parliament to legalise assisted
suicide. Responses made by Scottish Churches will be added to
the SCPO website as we receive them: /official-responses/health-and-community-care.aspx
The input of Scotland's churches and faith communities into
these discussions is crucial. So this month our thoughts are not
only with the most vulnerable in our society, the sick, the lonely,
the lost, the oppressed, and the fearful, who need love,
compassion, and understanding; but also with the policymakers who
can play a significant role in changing people's lives through the
decisions they take.
For further information about the office, or the topics
mentioned in this newsletter, please visit our website: www.actsparl.org