02/12/2004

Additional funding will tackle race crime - Minister

NIO Minister John Spellar today revealed that £100,000 in extra funding is being made available to tackle race hate crime in Northern Ireland.

Making the announcement on Thursday, Mr Spellar said the availability of additional funding demonstrated the Government's determination to respond to recent racist attacks across the province.

"It is clear to us that the poisonous thugs who have carried out these attacks, without compunction, are very much a minority,” the Minister said. “They do not act on behalf of their community. In the main, communities throughout the province have welcomed those from different countries and backgrounds who have come to live and work in Northern Ireland.”

Welcoming the funding, the Multi-Cultural Resource Centre (NI) said the money would help organisations such as themselves to further engage with black and minority ethnic communities and individuals across the province.

“Belfast has been labelled the race hate capital of Europe and it is everyone's responsibility to eradicate hate crime, and particularly the responsibility of those with influence,” MCRC Senior Manager Margaret Donaghy added.

(MB)

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