Moderator challenges hostility to migrants

A church leader is urging the public to “call out” people who use hostile or dehumanising language towards migrants.

The Right Reverend Sally Foster-fulton, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said uttering such language “diminishes humanity” and it ought to be challenged when overheard.

The moderator said she believes everyone has a responsibility to “create a world where every person is treated with dignity and respect”, but racism, discrimination and prejudice is preventing this outcome.

She was speaking ahead of Racial Justice Sunday on February 11 which provides churches across the UK the opportunity to discuss the presence of racism in society and commit to try and stamp it out.

Recent Home Office figures show more than 1,000 migrants have arrived in the UK so far this year after crossing the Channel.

The moderator said: “Migration has been an important part of Scotland’s story. Over the centuries, many Scots left to start new lives in places like Canada and the USA and in turn many people have come to Scotland to make it their home.

“Sadly, over the past few years, we have seen increasingly hostile and dehumanising language levelled at migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. People coming to the UK have been branded as criminals, as scroungers, and even as part of an invasion. This abuse can be found in the pages of newspapers, comments online and increasingly from the mouths of our politicians.

“It’s become so common that we almost don’t notice it any more.”

Ms Foster-fulton, who grew up in South Carolina in the USA and moved to Scotland more than 30 years ago after marrying a British citizen, said it is clear not all migrants are treated the same.