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21/03/2003
Community needs to fight racism together: Harbison
Speaking on the International Day Against Racism, the Equality Commission (NI) has that there are worrying signs that incidents motivated by racial prejudice are increasing in Northern Ireland.
Chief Commissioner of the Joan Harbison said that responsibility for tackling racism in Northern Ireland "falls on the entire community".
“Everyone in our society has a direct interest in confronting prejudice and promoting good relations," she said.
"We know from research that people in Northern Ireland are actually more likely to be racist than sectarian. Evidence of the urgent need to confront and tackle racism in our society is staring us in the face."
Mrs Harbison cited recent incidents including attacks on the homes of nurses from the Philippines in Ballymena, offensive leaflets about plans to build a mosque for local Muslims in Portadown, and the higher incidence of racist attacks in Northern Ireland at 16.4 per 1,000 of the population – higher than in England and Wales, where attacks are 12.6 per 1,000.
“Those who are trying to generate hatred and even violence against people on racial grounds can have a disproportionate effect if they go unchallenged,” Mrs Harbison said.
“Prejudice can be due to a lack of understanding, knowledge or even thought about what such behaviour means and what effect it has. Each of us personally needs to challenge racist attitudes and behaviour when we encounter them. We have a diverse society and we need to encourage people to respect and value that diversity.”
(GMcG)
Chief Commissioner of the Joan Harbison said that responsibility for tackling racism in Northern Ireland "falls on the entire community".
“Everyone in our society has a direct interest in confronting prejudice and promoting good relations," she said.
"We know from research that people in Northern Ireland are actually more likely to be racist than sectarian. Evidence of the urgent need to confront and tackle racism in our society is staring us in the face."
Mrs Harbison cited recent incidents including attacks on the homes of nurses from the Philippines in Ballymena, offensive leaflets about plans to build a mosque for local Muslims in Portadown, and the higher incidence of racist attacks in Northern Ireland at 16.4 per 1,000 of the population – higher than in England and Wales, where attacks are 12.6 per 1,000.
“Those who are trying to generate hatred and even violence against people on racial grounds can have a disproportionate effect if they go unchallenged,” Mrs Harbison said.
“Prejudice can be due to a lack of understanding, knowledge or even thought about what such behaviour means and what effect it has. Each of us personally needs to challenge racist attitudes and behaviour when we encounter them. We have a diverse society and we need to encourage people to respect and value that diversity.”
(GMcG)
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