SDLP urge anti-racism stance on Europe Day

As part of the celebration of Europe Day, the SDLP highlighted the need to develop an integrated approach to combat racism at a breakfast meeting on Thursday, May 9.

The event focused on "Celebrating Cultural Diversity: Combating Racism" as a theme aimed at promoting the need to foster a more intercultural society which is inclusive of groups such as refugees, and ethnic minorities.

The event was attended by representatives of several agencies including Philip Watt the Director of the Dublin-based National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, and Patrick Yu of the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities based in Belfast.

Speaking at the event SDLP Minister Carmel Hanna said the party had dedicated themselves to building a society where respect for diversity formed the "basis of our thinking." She said: "Judging someone, because of the colour of their skin or because of their religion is an anathema to all decent people. That extends to both sectarianism and racism.

"The SDLP, two years in advance of many other political parties, adopted the EU Anti-Racism Protocol, which sends a clear and consistent message to all our constituents that we abhor racism."

Mrs Hanna said that in adopting the Protocol the SDLP would endeavour to ensure that all election campaigns would be conducted in such a way as to avoid the incitement of racial hatred or prejudice.

"It must," she said, "be made clear that racism can not and will not be tolerated."

In Northern Ireland around 30,000 people, of which between 5,000 and 6,000 are in the Greater Belfast area, view themselves as being part of an ethnic minority.

Mrs Hanna said that she hoped that Europe Day could be used to promote debate and to raise awareness of the need for a fully participative and intercultural society.

(SP)