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Bijan Ebrahimi murder: 'Institutional racism' by council and police Bijan Ebrahimi murder: 'Institutional racism' by council and police
(35 minutes later)
A police force and council "repeatedly sided with the abusers" of a man murdered after being wrongly accused of being paedophile, a report has found.A police force and council "repeatedly sided with the abusers" of a man murdered after being wrongly accused of being paedophile, a report has found.
The Safer Bristol Partnership (SBP) found a "collective failure" by Avon and Somerset Police and Bristol City Council in the case of Bijan Ebrahimi.The Safer Bristol Partnership (SBP) found a "collective failure" by Avon and Somerset Police and Bristol City Council in the case of Bijan Ebrahimi.
The disabled Iranian refugee was beaten to death and set alight on a Bristol estate in 2013.The disabled Iranian refugee was beaten to death and set alight on a Bristol estate in 2013.
The SBP found there was "institutional racism" from both parties.The SBP found there was "institutional racism" from both parties.
The council and police say they accept the report's findings.The council and police say they accept the report's findings.
Lee James, 24, was jailed for life for killing Mr Ebrahimi three days after he was arrested following complaints he had been taking pictures of children near his home.Lee James, 24, was jailed for life for killing Mr Ebrahimi three days after he was arrested following complaints he had been taking pictures of children near his home.
James repeatedly stamped on Mr Ebrahimi's head during the attack, shouting "have some of that". James repeatedly stamped on his head during the attack, shouting "have some of that".
In a letter to Mr Ebrahimi's family, Bristol mayor Marvin Rees apologised.In a letter to Mr Ebrahimi's family, Bristol mayor Marvin Rees apologised.
He said: "We accept all of the findings of the Safer Bristol-commissioned independent review, including 'evidence of both discriminatory behaviour and institutional racism on the part of Bristol City Council'.He said: "We accept all of the findings of the Safer Bristol-commissioned independent review, including 'evidence of both discriminatory behaviour and institutional racism on the part of Bristol City Council'.
"We appreciate that no amount of lessons learned or changes in practice can possibly mitigate the impact this had on Bijan and his family. ""We appreciate that no amount of lessons learned or changes in practice can possibly mitigate the impact this had on Bijan and his family. "
Avon and Somerset Police, which was criticised for "conscious or unconscious racial bias" in the case in an IPCC report earlier this year, also said it accepted the findings.Avon and Somerset Police, which was criticised for "conscious or unconscious racial bias" in the case in an IPCC report earlier this year, also said it accepted the findings.
"We failed him when he needed us the most and for that we're extremely sorry," a spokesman said."We failed him when he needed us the most and for that we're extremely sorry," a spokesman said.
"We continue to do everything in our power to prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again.""We continue to do everything in our power to prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again."
'Abuse and victimisation' The SBP report accuses council and police officers of being "prejudicial" in their dealings with Mr Ebrahimi.
The SBP report states: "There is nothing racist in the intentions or established policies and procedures of either organisation. It said they accepted allegations against him without investigating them objectively and not appreciating his vulnerability as an Iranian man.
"Nevertheless, there is evidence that Mr Ebrahimi was repeatedly targeted for racist abuse and victimisation by some members of the public, that this was repeatedly reported to Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Bristol City Council and that representatives of both organisations repeatedly sided with his abusers. It said: "As an Iranian man living in this environment, Mr Ebrahimi was disadvantaged by the inappropriate responses by Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Bristol City Council to his racist victimisation.
"The more incidents that were reported, the more ingrained this pattern of responses became right up to Mr Ebrahimi's death." "Representatives of those organisations displayed a distinct lack of understanding of his plight and, accordingly, unwitting prejudice against him.
"There is therefore, based on the definition from The Macpherson Report, evidence of both discriminatory behaviour and institutional racism on the part of Bristol City Council and Avon and Somerset Constabulary."
Timeline of Ebrahimi case
The report makes 14 recommendations, including changes to the way crimes are recorded at Avon and Somerset Police and a staff awareness programme around institutional racism.
Mr Ebrahimi's sisters, Mojgan Kahayatian and Manisha Moores said: "No review can ever bring back our beloved Bijan but it is important that his voice has been heard.
"Bijan always said that racism must be challenged wherever it is found, including in town halls and police stations.
"Bristol City Council took nearly five years to accept that it failed Bijan and the need for change.
"This is far too long, although late is better than never.
"We will not rest until improved systems are put in place to protect other vulnerable people".
PCSO Andrew Passmore, 56 and PC Kevin Duffy, 52 were convicted of misconduct in connection with the death and sacked by Avon and Somerset Police.