Faith Community Forum meeting

Faith Communities Forum Meeting

31 October 2016

Ngakma Nor’dzin attended representing the Buddhist Council of Wales.

Matters arising from the minutes: 

Question of unrepresented Faiths – this is an ongoing discussion within the Interfaith Council – will report later

Agenda Item 1: Free movement of people post EU Referendum

Carwyn Jones mentioned 6 principles – 2 of which are that EU citizens can remain; and that we will resist bigotry, racism, the open expression of racist view

Agenda Item 2: Human Rights Act – Discussion

The Human Rights Act is being replaced by a Bill of Rights –

– however, as the Human Rights Act came from EU, the Bill of Rights has been parked for now

Agenda Item 3: Hate Crime Statistics - Paul Dear, Head of Equality Team

Paul Dear reported a 72% increase in hate crime reportings post Brexit

– it is known that more than half of crimes go unreported

5 characteristics – increase in 4 out of 5

73%   relate to race                             now a 4% increase

15%   relate to sexual orientation      now a 6% increase

5%     relate to religion                        now a  42% increase

10%   relate to disability                     now a 21% increase

1%     relate to trans-gender               now an 8% decrease

Agenda Item 4: Anti-Slavery Wales – Presentation and Q&A

Steve Chapman, Welsh Government Anti-Slavery Co-ordinator

This is the only anti-slavery organisation in the UK

– awareness of slavery in Wales now

– have a modern anti-slavery act in Wales now