CNSA turned to the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) after receiving abusive letters that criticised Gaelic-medium education and its Scottish Executive funding (News, 19 July). The writer of the letters said that the Executive's expenditure was a 'waste' and a 'national disgrace' and that Gaelic was a 'pointless and useless language', but the CRE does not have any remit to help the CNSA respond.
CNSA chief executive Fionnlagh Macleoid said it has received various abusive letters and has noticed an increase following publicity drives. Last year the CNSA sent out half a million leaflets in Scotland and received many abusive statements on return slips.
Mr Macleoid said, 'We have heard back from the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) and it says that nothing can be done at this stage, but we can't accept that.
'We feel the CRE should have the power and we will be asking for a meeting to discuss how it can get that power. We are not just doing this for indigenous communities but for those from other countries as well.
'It is such an infringement when people write that we are abusing children because they are learning a second language and that they hope the children will take us to court when they are older. A lot more has been said that we can't repeat because we may pursue it through the courts. Most people do not give their name but one man did because he thought his opinions and attitude were common.
'After we've met with the CRE the chances are that we will go to the police. But we have contacted them in the past and nothing has come of it. We have also sent documentation to MSPs with the hope we can possibly meet with them in the future.'
