Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Project Esperanza on its upcoming fifth anniversary; celebrates the grassroots initiative’s work to offer practical, emotional and social integration support to families and women of African heritage throughout Scotland; recognises what it considers to be the incredible work, dedication and vital contributions of Project Esperanza’s trustees, staff and volunteers; acknowledges the wide-ranging support that the organisation offers, including advocacy and family support, youth work, employability services, mental health support and English for Speakers of Other Languages classes, helping diverse communities in Scotland overcome systemic discrimination and social barriers and fostering a greater sense of community and belonging; notes the importance of funding Black and Ethnic Minority-led specialist organisations, including Project Esperanza, that work with under-served groups to ensure that all communities in Scotland can access culturally competent, trauma-informed and race- and faith-sensitive services, and recognises what it sees as the vital role that these organisations play in advancing racial justice, challenging institutional racism and promoting equity, inclusion and belonging.

That the Parliament welcomes Islamophobia Awareness Month, which is set to take place in November 2026; recognises the month as an opportunity to raise awareness of the harms of Islamophobia as well as showcase the positive contributions of Muslims in Scotland and across the UK; notes that the theme, Don’t Let It Slide, calls on all to take action, have courage and recognise everyone's everyday responsibility to address Islamophobia; considers Islamophobia as a form of racism and discrimination and notes the view that MSPs should respond to it through their work as Parliamentarians and not allow it to be normalised; believes with sadness that anti-Muslim hatred and attacks on Muslim communities in Scotland are growing, including on the streets, in schools and workplaces, in the media, in politics and online; considers that Islamophobia has a disproportionate impact on Muslim women and that they bear the brunt of anti-Muslim hostility; recognises the important role of specialist Muslim-led "by and for" organisations in supporting those affected by Islamophobia and hate crime, and notes the important contributions of anti-racist education programmes and active bystander work in responding to Islamophobia in Scotland.

That the Parliament condemns the alleged large-scale crackdown against LGBTQIA+ organisations and human rights defenders in Türkiye in recent weeks; notes reports from Human Rights Watch that at least 112 people were arrested in coordinated police raids between 12 and 14 September 2026 and that Amnesty International has reported that individuals have experienced intrusive strip searches, insults and humiliation, and being held in isolation; expresses concern that a number of websites and social media accounts of LGBTQIA+ activists as well as journalists and human rights organisations have reportedly been restricted; believes that these actions are part of a wider restriction on LGBTQIA+ rights in Türkiye, with officials often invoking the protection of family values to justify these actions and naming the current operation My Family is Safe; condemns the reported use of this rhetoric to justify attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights both in Türkiye and internationally, and stands in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community in Türkiye and all those advocating for the advancement of LGBTQIA+ rights in Scotland and around the world.

That the Parliament stands in solidarity with members of the University and College Union (UCU) Scotland at the University of Edinburgh following its announcement of five weeks of strike action from 28 September 2026; understands that this action relates to the university management’s announcement of £140 million of cuts and an estimated 1,800 job losses in early 2025; notes reports that UCU general secretary, Jo Grady, has called the university’s cuts "academic vandalism"; understands that the scale of staff cuts is the largest seen in Scottish higher education, despite the university confirming earlier in 2026 that it is not in financial deficit; condemns the university’s decision to close 90 programmes in its College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS); notes with sadness the proposed closure of a number of courses within the school of education focused on inclusive education, such as the Postgraduate Diplomas in Inclusive Education for Deaf Learners and Visually Impaired Learners and expresses deep concern about the knock-on effects that this could have on access to education for disabled learners, and commends UCU members for campaigning on behalf of their colleagues and students, and for their efforts to avoid strike action.

As an amendment to motion S7M-01084 in the name of Simita Kumar (Building Stronger, Safer and Inclusive Communities, Together), insert at end "recognises the disproportionate harms to marginalised groups, and condemns the far right's deliberate incitement of violence against migrants, asylum-seekers, Muslims and people of colour; further recognises the need to work with community groups to co-design strategies for community safety, ensuring that any response is shaped by those most impacted by violence and discrimination; and calls on the Scottish Government to increase investment in community-led safe spaces, culturally appropriate mental health and wellbeing services, crisis support as well as the safety and security of frontline charities and community organisations that are facing threats and abuse.”

That the Parliament expresses its sympathy with the people of Nepal following the tragic flash floods and landslides that struck the country on 26 August 2026; mourns the reported deaths of more than 1,300 people and recognises the affliction of families still searching for thousands who remain missing; understands that infrastructure and livelihoods have been destroyed or severely damaged, leaving communities isolated and in urgent need of food, clean water, shelter and healthcare; welcomes the work of Nepal’s emergency services, local communities and humanitarian organisations responding to the disaster; believes that the disaster was triggered by a high-altitude collapse of rock and glacier ice; recognises the increasing risks that melting ice and extreme weather pose to communities across the Himalayan region; considers that Nepal has contributed very little to global greenhouse gas emissions while facing some of the gravest consequences of the climate crisis; believes that climate breakdown is increasingly intensifying humanitarian emergencies and placing additional pressure on already vulnerable communities, and that humanitarian responses must therefore be linked to long-term climate adaptation and resilience; further believes that this tragedy emphasises the urgent need for international climate action and adaptation funding; notes calls for urgent support for Nepal through the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund and from the wider international community, and affirms what it sees as Scotland’s responsibility to stand in solidarity with communities on the front line of the climate crisis.

That the Parliament expresses its continuing solidarity with the people of Venezuela following the two devastating earthquakes that struck the country on 24 June 2026; mourns the thousands of people who lost their lives and recognises that many families are still searching for missing loved ones; understands that homes and essential infrastructure were destroyed and communities were left in urgent need of food, clean water, shelter, healthcare and long-term support; further understands that the disaster struck a country already experiencing a severe humanitarian and economic crisis; welcomes the work of local responders, international humanitarian organisations and the 14 Disasters Emergency Committee member charities responding alongside their partners in Venezuela; further welcomes the £250,000 provided by the Scottish Government from its Humanitarian Emergency Fund and the generosity that has raised more than £20 million through the DEC Venezuela Earthquake Appeal; recognises that the need for humanitarian assistance and reconstruction continues long after the disaster has left the headlines; encourages people in Scotland who are able to do so to support the appeal; calls for humanitarian assistance to reach affected communities safely and according to need, and affirms Scotland’s responsibility to act as a good global citizen by supporting people affected by humanitarian emergencies.

That the Parliament congratulations Inclusion Scotland on its 25th anniversary in 2026; notes that the organisation was established in 2001 and works to achieve positive changes to policy and practice so that disabled people are fully included throughout society as equal citizens; recognises its work to support disabled people to become decision-makers, including through the Access to Elected Office Fund; considers that the anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on progress made in advancing disability justice as well as on the barriers and inequalities that remain; commends Inclusion Scotland’s members, staff, board and partners for their contribution to advancing the rights, voices and choices of disabled people across Scotland, and wishes Inclusion Scotland every success for the future.

That the Parliament welcomes the 14th annual Imam Hussain Blood Donation Campaign in Edinburgh, which promotes blood donation across diverse communities and brings together civic, faith and health partners; commends campaign organisers, Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, and all involved in delivering the campaign and promoting voluntary blood donation; recognises the vital role that blood donors play in supporting people and healthcare services across Scotland; notes that a single blood donation can save or improve the lives of up to three people; acknowledges the campaign’s longstanding contribution to encouraging community participation in life-saving acts of generosity and public service, and wishes every success to the organisers, volunteers and donors taking part in the 2026 campaign.

That the Parliament notes that the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) Code of Practice (CoP) relating to trans people accessing public spaces and services will come into force from 5 August 2026; believes that the implementation of the CoP will create a real risk of daily human rights violations for trans people across the UK and the potential for the UK to breach its international obligations; notes that the earlier informal guidance from the EHRC on how to implement the Supreme Court ruling of April 2025 is already having what it sees as significant impacts, with many organisations reportedly taking steps to exclude trans people from services that align with their gender identity, putting them at increased risk of harassment and violence, and effectively pushing them out of public life; further notes what it sees as the harm to cisgender people who present in gender non-conforming ways who, it believes, will also risk harassment and an invasion of privacy; is concerned that workplaces, businesses and other organisations will now face pressure to enforce what it considers to be unworkable guidance; commends the tireless work of equality organisations, trade unions, community organisations, trans-led and LGBTQIA+ groups and campaigners across Scotland and the UK and their continued work to protect trans people and to respond to this guidance; believes that the Scottish Government needs to provide a clear analysis of how public bodies with legal obligations under the Human Rights Act 1998 can ensure that implementation of the CoP upholds the human rights of everyone, including trans people, and reaffirms its commitment to protecting the rights, dignity and safety of trans people and ensuring that Scotland remains a welcoming place for all LGBTQIA+ communities.