Racial Equality Strategy Consultation Launches

The First and deputy First Minister have launched a public consultation on the draft racial equality strategy.

The move follows a recent spate of racist attacks and hate crimes across Northern Ireland, many of which have made headlines in newspapers throughout the British Isles.

Yesterday, police announced that banners erected at an east Belfast home into which a Nigerian man was due to move would be treated as a hate crime.

34-year-old Michael Abiona arrived at his new home at Glenluce Drive in east Belfast on Tuesday only to find posters reading 'Local Houses 4 Local People' waiting for him.

While the Housing Executive is treating the incident as "racial intimidation", First Minister Peter Robinson has said he does not believe the incident can be described as racist.

Mr Robinson also came under fire last month after he defended local Pastor James McConnell's remarks that Islam was 'satanic' and 'spawned in hell'. The First Minister said he would trust Muslims to "go to the shops" for him, but that he would not trust anyone who engaged in 'Sharia Law'.

Following the launch of today's proposal, Peter Robinson said: "Northern Ireland society has changed dramatically over the past decade and has been enhanced by the rich diversity of those people who have made their home here. They make a valuable contribution to all our lives and any actions that make people feel unwelcome, vulnerable or intimidated must be condemned by us all."

The deputy First Minister said: "I unreservedly condemn the recent race hate crimes and all forms of intimidation. The Executive is determined to promote equality, mutual respect and tolerance for all people in society. We must develop a society where racial equality and diversity is supported, understood and respected. Social, cultural and religious diversity should help build bonds between people not create conflict.

"The Executive is determined to tackle racial inequality head on, however, we can’t do this alone. Through this consultation document we seek to gather a wide range of views from anyone with an interest in racial equality. Consultations like this are so important because they provide an opportunity for all of us to share our knowledge and experience in a way in which we can make a difference in people’s lives."

Alliance OFMDFM spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA said: "It is now important that the First and deputy First Ministers also commit to an adequate level of funding and an appropriate action plan for this strategy. It will not succeed unless it has the resources and actions to deliver its goals.

"While I am pleased to see this document finally published, it is not the strategy the Alliance Party would have written. Work begins now to ensure the final version will be strong enough to improve community relations, promote inclusivity and protect ethnic minorities. Alliance will spend some time considering our full response to the document but I would encourage everybody to get involved in the consultation process."

The public consultation period on the document will run until 10 October 2014.

(IT/CD)