He speaks as STUC issues a call to "build unity and to demonstrate against the far right"
Refugees in Scotland are "fearful” following days of fascist rioting in cities in England and Northern Ireland.
Sabir Zazai, chief executive of the Scottish Refugee Council (SRC), said people were experiencing “anxiety and uncertainty” as racist, far right violence spread.
Following a faith-leaders meeting with First Minister John Swinney, he told BBC Scotland: “These people are fearful already, they have fled dreadful situations. We don’t want them to be retraumatised.”
Although Scotland has so far avoided the fascist outrages that have blighted other parts of the UK, he warned: “nowhere is immune to racism”.
He said: “Yesterday we had somebody living in an asylum hotel saying should I stay in the hotel or should I leave?
“We've had other people worried about their wellbeing, people not being able to travel to their appointments with their lawyers or getting advice from us and others.
“This should all be avoided and that shouldn't happen, people should not feel that insecurity and fear in our streets."
Over the past week, far right and criminal mobs – stirred up by mainstream right-wing rhetoric and online racist and Islamophobic agitators spreading disinformation – have attacked mosques and hotels hosting asylum seekers.
Campaigners in Scotland are calling for action to ensure there are no similar scenes in Scotland, and are planning to take to the streets in defiance and solidarity.
A Glasgow charity has already moved to temporarily close its offices as a precaution to protect staff and service users.
A statement issued by the Scottish Trades Union Congress read: “We stand in solidarity with communities across the UK who have been subjected to violence and intimidation orchestrated by far-right groups.
“We have witnessed appalling scenes of racist rioters targeting Muslim, black and minority ethnic communities, spreading fear and mayhem. The deliberate assault and arson of hotels accommodating asylum seekers is nothing short of barbaric. These hateful events must be condemned as Islamophobic and racist by politicians of all parties and the media.
“We offer our condolences and support to all those tragically impacted by the events in Southport that resulted in the murder of three children, Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar.
“We are appalled that these events have been weaponised by far right individuals and groups to incite riots and violence on our streets. They show contempt and absolute disregard for the families and communities impacted.
“We are heartened to see people across towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland come together to clean up streets, offer their services, support, solidarity, kindness and humanity.
“We have long warned that the far right poses a dangerous threat in the UK. Spreading racist hate amongst communities that are often marginalised and under-resourced. The cruel impacts of austerity are shared across working-class communities, however, the brutality of structural racism is faced only by black and minority ethnic communities. This has been compounded by the drip feed of anti-migrant rhetoric from parts of the media, politicians and echoed across social media channels.
“We will not stand back and allow the far right to attempt to divide us. We will not be silent. We will not cower. Trade unions have a long history of defending our communities against fascists and racists. That work continues today.
“It is our duty to step up. We must be anti-racist in our actions. We must reach out to local mosques and encourage others to do so, to offer support to asylum seekers and refugee organisations, to educate ourselves about racism, fascism and Britain’s colonial past and to build unity and to demonstrate against the far right.
“The trade union movement in Scotland stands ready. We call on you to stand with us.”
Stand Up To Racism Scotland (SUTR) and other anti-racist campaigners have called for people to attend a demo in Glasgow’s George Square.
This will see anti-fascists, trade unionists, faith groups and many more unite ahead of a so-called ‘patriot’ meeting there, which has been backed and promoted by online fascist agitators.
The mass gathering, under the banner of don’t let the far right divide us, is at noon on Saturday, 7 September.
There are other actions called for this week, to meet a rapidly changing situation. This Saturday, 10 August, there will be solidarity demos in towns across Scotland.
See SUTR’s social media for more details or go here.
Meanwhile, the Muslim Council of Scotland said it has “full trust” in Police Scotland’s ability to deal with any violence here.
Dr Muhammad Adrees, chairman, said: “Police Scotland has already increased patrolling within the community, so just show the presence of the police to those who maybe try to jeopardise the safety of the community.
“People have a right to demonstrate and a right to free speech but they don’t have a right to damage people’s property or harm other people .
"We have full trust in Police Scotland and they are strong enough and equipped well to look after their peaceful citizens.”
