Menu
15/04/2004
Government renew bid to tackle racism
The Government is working hard to develop a co-ordinated approach to tackling the problem of racism in Northern Ireland, it was claimed today.
In a speech to the Northern Ireland Race Forum, Equality Minister, John Spellar, said that government’s message on racist harassment and racist attacks was quite clear, describing them as unacceptable and not to be tolerated.
Mr Spellar was speaking in Belfast, to the Forum, which comprises representatives of minority ethnic communities in Northern Ireland, Government Departments and agencies, when he also set out Government’s agenda addressing racism and racial equality issues. He paid tribute to the hard work of the members of the Forum and others who were working towards tackling the problem.
“Government has taken and will continue to take action, but the issues raised by the recent attacks, and the broader issue of racial equality, are issues for all sections of society here," the Minister said.
"In expressing our abhorrence of these racist attacks, we must avoid the lazy temptation to demonise entire areas and communities."
Mr Spellar said that the Community Safety Strategy gave clear commitments to bring about legislative change and to develop effective local strategies and solutions.
"We will also take account of race crime and incidents in our work on other key issues within the Strategy," he added.
On government’s policy for improving relations in Northern Ireland, the Minister said that respondents to the Shared Future consultation urged Government to address the need to eliminate racism, as well as sectarianism, and enable people to live and work without fear or intimidation.
“We will not lose sight of this focus in developing proposals for a new cross-departmental strategy and framework to promote good relations between and within communities in Northern Ireland and we hope to present these proposals later this year," he concluded.
(MB)
In a speech to the Northern Ireland Race Forum, Equality Minister, John Spellar, said that government’s message on racist harassment and racist attacks was quite clear, describing them as unacceptable and not to be tolerated.
Mr Spellar was speaking in Belfast, to the Forum, which comprises representatives of minority ethnic communities in Northern Ireland, Government Departments and agencies, when he also set out Government’s agenda addressing racism and racial equality issues. He paid tribute to the hard work of the members of the Forum and others who were working towards tackling the problem.
“Government has taken and will continue to take action, but the issues raised by the recent attacks, and the broader issue of racial equality, are issues for all sections of society here," the Minister said.
"In expressing our abhorrence of these racist attacks, we must avoid the lazy temptation to demonise entire areas and communities."
Mr Spellar said that the Community Safety Strategy gave clear commitments to bring about legislative change and to develop effective local strategies and solutions.
"We will also take account of race crime and incidents in our work on other key issues within the Strategy," he added.
On government’s policy for improving relations in Northern Ireland, the Minister said that respondents to the Shared Future consultation urged Government to address the need to eliminate racism, as well as sectarianism, and enable people to live and work without fear or intimidation.
“We will not lose sight of this focus in developing proposals for a new cross-departmental strategy and framework to promote good relations between and within communities in Northern Ireland and we hope to present these proposals later this year," he concluded.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 March 2024
Down Royal Announces Fibrus As New Headline Sponsor
Racegoers of all ages across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to attend Down Royal's brand-new Fibrus Family Race Day taking place on Sunday 14th April 2024. This partnership will see Fibrus secure title naming rights to this year's new race meeting bringing the total number of fixtures at Down Royal in 2024 to fourteen.
Down Royal Announces Fibrus As New Headline Sponsor
Racegoers of all ages across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to attend Down Royal's brand-new Fibrus Family Race Day taking place on Sunday 14th April 2024. This partnership will see Fibrus secure title naming rights to this year's new race meeting bringing the total number of fixtures at Down Royal in 2024 to fourteen.
28 March 2014
DSD To Spend Over £300,000 On Giro Route
Over £300,000 is to be spent on cleaning up the route to be used by the Giro d'Italia cycle race, coming to Northern Ireland for the first time between 09 – 11 May.
DSD To Spend Over £300,000 On Giro Route
Over £300,000 is to be spent on cleaning up the route to be used by the Giro d'Italia cycle race, coming to Northern Ireland for the first time between 09 – 11 May.
02 December 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.
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.
03 September 2013
L'Derry Crew Begin World Yacht Race
The Derry-Londonderry-Doire entry in the world's longest ocean yacht race has been waved off from the banks of the Thames in London by a crowd of over 120,000 well-wishers.
L'Derry Crew Begin World Yacht Race
The Derry-Londonderry-Doire entry in the world's longest ocean yacht race has been waved off from the banks of the Thames in London by a crowd of over 120,000 well-wishers.
19 January 2005
NI pay-as-you-go mobiles hit by cross-border charges
Pay-as-you-go mobile phone users in Northern Ireland could be paying up to six times the charges incurred by customers on a contract when ringing from the Republic of Ireland.
NI pay-as-you-go mobiles hit by cross-border charges
Pay-as-you-go mobile phone users in Northern Ireland could be paying up to six times the charges incurred by customers on a contract when ringing from the Republic of Ireland.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
