A new report just released by a Europe-wide anti-racism body shows an increase in racially motivated incidents in Ireland.
According to the European Network Against Racism (Enar) Ireland, both the number of incidents and the severity of the cases have all gone up since 2010 when its last report was published.
However, the group says the full extent of the problem is not currently known due to “challenges of underreporting” and the collapse of an independent mechanism for reporting racism following the closure of the National Consultative Comm-ittee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI).
“There are some anecdotal reports that incidents are not adequately recorded as racist by relevant authorities,” the report states. “The problem is exacerbated by limits in legislation to address racism as a crime.”
On this point, Enar Ireland says the role of policing “is key”.
“While there have been many initiatives taken by An Garda Síochána, there are capacity issues,” the report says. “Indeed, police can also perpetrate racism. There is growing concern within the NGO community of the practice of ethnic profiling, for example.”
Apart from the rise in racist violence, the report adds that ethnic and religious minorities are also experiencing more discrimination in employment, accommodation, and health.
Enar Ireland acknowledges this is part of an increase of racism across Europe, but also makes a number of key recommendations aimed at combating racism locally, which include the “recognition of the distinct ethnic identity of Travellers” and the need to “end dispersal and direct provision for asylum seekers in Ireland”.
The report also strongly highlighted the need for “strong political leadership that sends a clear message that racism is not tolerated, both in words and in actions.”
