Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, has issued a formal apology to the gypsy traveller community for the lasting trauma inflicted upon them by the 'tinker experiment', a policy between 1940 and 1980 aimed at dismantling their nomadic lifestyle.
Scotland 's First Minister, John Swinney, has delivered a formal apology to the gypsy traveller community for the enduring trauma they endured during the so-called ' tinker experiment '. Swinney characterized the 'unfair and unjust' policies, implemented by local councils and the UK government between 1940 and 1980, as 'unacceptable'.
The 'experiment' aimed to dismantle the nomadic lifestyle of gypsy travellers by relocating them to substandard accommodations, including repurposed military buildings and low-quality Nissen huts, scattered across Scotland. When families outgrew these cramped dwellings, their children were often removed - sometimes temporarily, other times permanently - either placed in temporary care or adopted. Some were adopted within the UK, while others were sent overseas. Swinney's apology follows the release of a new independent report commissioned by the Scottish government. The report, based on research conducted by the University of St Andrews, concludes that the context surrounding the 'tinker experiment' is best understood as 'cultural genocide'. It reveals that the government was aware the accommodations provided to gypsy travellers were substandard, often lacking electricity and running water. Researchers assert that the 'experiment' was part of a pervasive societal and institutional dehumanization of gypsy travellers in Scotland, fueled by stereotypes portraying them as adhering to a 'backward or undeveloped way of life'.The report pinpoints the role of the UK national government, specifically the Scottish Office, as a primary actor in the formulation and enforcement of these policies. However, it also acknowledges the involvement of local councils, churches, and charities in creating the environment that allowed such policies to take hold. Following the report's publication, the Church of Scotland also issued a sincere apology for its role in these historical wrongs. During a statement to the Holyrood parliament, Swinney addressed MSPs, stating that 'stark prejudice and lack of cultural awareness' led to a series of unjust policies. These policies resulted in the removal of children from families and forced families to endure substandard living conditions and degrading circumstances. He emphasized the significant and enduring trauma that these actions inflicted upon individuals, families, and groups within the gypsy traveller community. Facing members of the community gathered in the public gallery of Holyrood, Swinney stated, 'As First Minister of Scotland, I want to say this directly to gypsy traveller communities: the 'tinker experiments' should not have happened. These policies were wrong. And we recognize how much it is still hurting so many. And more than anything else, I want to say this – on behalf of Scotland, we are sorry.' He concluded his statement by acknowledging that there is 'still much to do' in addressing the prejudice that the community continues to face
Scotland Apology Gypsy Travellers Tinker Experiment Trauma Cultural Genocide Historical Wrongs
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