Assembly Committee Hear from Local Minority Ethnic Groups After Racist Violence

The Assembly’s Committee for the Executive Office heard today (Wednesday 18^th September) from local groups on how racial violence has affected their communities – taking their views on tackling the problem.

Four organisations, representing ethnic minority communities in Northern Ireland, came and spoke to Members about their personal experiences this summer, as well as their current fears and hopes for the future.

The North West Migrants’ Forum; the African & Caribbean Support Organisation Northern Ireland (ACSONI); Belfast Multi-Cultural Association and the Belfast Islamic Centre were all represented at the meeting.

Paula Bradshaw MLA, Chair of the Executive Office Committee said: “The racial violence we witnessed this summer was appalling – with some dreadful consequences for people’s lives and livelihoods.  We know of people who have had businesses destroyed and those who are scared for themselves, and their children’s’ safety and wellbeing.

“As a Committee, we feel strongly that we need to hear from those directly impacted: to understand the toll it has taken, and how we can now work towards repairing the physical, and healing the emotional, damage inflicted on them.

“All of us have the right to live free from fear and violence.

“We reiterate our condemnation of the recent attacks, the hatred and the discrimination - which is not representative of wider society here.

“The ‘opposition to racism’ motion brought to the Assembly Chamber in August condemned the criminal damage and targeting of businesses, as well as the racist violence and xenophobia in our society.

“Now we need to move beyond those words and start to tackle the underlying issues responsible. 

“The Committee will hear from The Executive Office to respond to the evidence given to us at today’s meeting and we will expect to explore potential solutions with the First and deputy First Minister when they come before the Committee at the start of October.”

The Assembly motion on 8 August called on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to finalise the draft Refugee Integration Strategy and associated Thematic Delivery Plan and present it to the Executive; to bring forward the renewed Race Relations Order, and set out the process of replacing the Racial Equality Strategy (2015-2025) by the end of 2024.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

For further information, please contact the Assembly’s communications office: info@niassembly.gov.uk