Racism is a problem in Ireland and we do not have the means to deal with it. This European Week Against Racism (EWAR), make your mark by calling on the Government to recognise racist crime in Irish law.
Musicians, models, designers; politicians, activists, artists; people from all walks of life and all backgrounds are speaking out against racism during EWAR 2012. It is time to take action to protect our society from racism.
Reports from the Irish network and the European Network Against Racism (Enar) show that racism is the scourge of Europe and the situation is volatile. Effective legislation to prevent and punish racially motivated crime is needed urgently.
Racist incident reports from the Irish Network Against Racism (Enar Ireland) and our members reveal the ugly truth of racism in Ireland. It is bad enough that these experiences have to be endured by individuals and communities across the country. The fact that these experiences are often denied in Irish society, including by politicians, is shameful. It is time to recognise people’s experiences, to take them seriously and to do something about racism.
In 2011, a majority of the racist incidents collected by Enar Ireland involved racially motivated violence and crime. A number of the incidents reported took place just outside the person’s house or on the walk home.
Public transport is also an area where we see racist incidents, with taxi drivers, bus drivers and passengers alike the targets of racist abuse. Moreover, the proliferation of hate speech on internet platforms makes clear the need for systematic and preventative measures.
Yet Ireland struggles to monitor racist incidents and legal reform has not kept up with the changes in Irish society. Only one in six people will report a racist incident to the police. The fact that people feel nothing can be done is a key barrier to reporting racist incidents. Until we recognise racist crime in Irish law, victims cannot get justice and Garda hands are tied.
Political will on this issue is invisible. Commitments made by successive governments to protect people from racially motivated crime, have not been met. The UN is among those who have criticised Ireland’s response to racist incidents. Politicians who have spoken out against racism, albeit unsupported and despite political apathy, have become targets themselves.
In practice, a racially motivated crime is treated like any other crime in court. However, it is not any other crime. It is not a crime that could happen to anyone. If the victim were not from a minority, the crime simply would not take place. UK research shows that racist incidents have a deeper effect on individuals than similar crimes that are not racially motivated. Furthermore, racist incidents affect the whole community.
We need specific legal provisions to deal with the specific problem of racist crime. Law has a key role to play in preventing racism, as it acts as a deterrent. After all, we have laws on speeding not only to punish those who speed but ultimately to make sure people do not speed.
A famous quote says that all it takes for evil to flourish is for good people to stand by and do nothing. So stand up and do something! Speak out against racism and let our leaders know that it is time to recognise racist crime.
Sign our petition to make sure racist crime is recognised in Irish law. Write to your politicians to get them behind this issue. For more information visit our website at enarireland.org or call 01 889 7110.
Catherine Lynch is national co-ordinator of the Irish Network Against Racism (Enar Ireland), a national network of anti-racist organisations and part of the European Network Against Racism (Enar).
Racism is a problem in Ireland and we do not have the means to deal with it. This European Week Against Racism (EWAR), make your mark by calling on the Government to recognise racist crime in Irish law.
Musicians, models, designers; politicians, activists, artists; people from all walks of life and all backgrounds are speaking out against racism during EWAR 2012. It is time to take action to protect our society from racism.
Reports from the Irish network and the European Network Against Racism (Enar) show that racism is the scourge of Europe and the situation is volatile. Effective legislation to prevent and punish racially motivated crime is needed urgently.
Racist incident reports from the Irish Network Against Racism (Enar Ireland) and our members reveal the ugly truth of racism in Ireland. It is bad enough that these experiences have to be endured by individuals and communities across the country. The fact that these experiences are often denied in Irish society, including by politicians, is shameful. It is time to recognise people’s experiences, to take them seriously and to do something about racism.
In 2011, a majority of the racist incidents collected by Enar Ireland involved racially motivated violence and crime. A number of the incidents reported took place just outside the person’s house or on the walk home.
Public transport is also an area where we see racist incidents, with taxi drivers, bus drivers and passengers alike the targets of racist abuse. Moreover, the proliferation of hate speech on internet platforms makes clear the need for systematic and preventative measures.
Yet Ireland struggles to monitor racist incidents and legal reform has not kept up with the changes in Irish society. Only one in six people will report a racist incident to the police. The fact that people feel nothing can be done is a key barrier to reporting racist incidents. Until we recognise racist crime in Irish law, victims cannot get justice and Garda hands are tied.
Political will on this issue is invisible. Commitments made by successive governments to protect people from racially motivated crime, have not been met. The UN is among those who have criticised Ireland’s response to racist incidents. Politicians who have spoken out against racism, albeit unsupported and despite political apathy, have become targets themselves.
In practice, a racially motivated crime is treated like any other crime in court. However, it is not any other crime. It is not a crime that could happen to anyone. If the victim were not from a minority, the crime simply would not take place. UK research shows that racist incidents have a deeper effect on individuals than similar crimes that are not racially motivated. Furthermore, racist incidents affect the whole community.
We need specific legal provisions to deal with the specific problem of racist crime. Law has a key role to play in preventing racism, as it acts as a deterrent. After all, we have laws on speeding not only to punish those who speed but ultimately to make sure people do not speed.
A famous quote says that all it takes for evil to flourish is for good people to stand by and do nothing. So stand up and do something! Speak out against racism and let our leaders know that it is time to recognise racist crime.
Sign our petition to make sure racist crime is recognised in Irish law. Write to your politicians to get them behind this issue. For more information visit our website at enarireland.org or call 01 889 7110.
Catherine Lynch is national co-ordinator of the Irish Network Against Racism (Enar Ireland), a national network of anti-racist organisations and part of the European Network Against Racism (Enar).
