Legislative reforms proposed for tackling racism and hate crimes
Leading decision-makers and experts came together last Friday to discuss Ireland’s legislative and policy framework for tackling racism and hate crime at a conference organised by Nasc, the Irish Immigrant Support Centre and UCC’s Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights.
Speakers and co-chairs at Racism and Hate Crime Conference, UCC, October 4, 2013
The conference aim was to promote an open dialogue, examining the effectiveness of Ireland’s current legislative and policy framework to effectively deal with all forms of hate crime, racism and discrimination, both individual and institutional.
The programme included a brief statement from Minister for Justice Alan Shatter, who was unable to attend the event. In his statement, Minister Shatter stated, “A process of dialogue reflecting the key issues facing us as a nation is critical in ensuring that we can identify problems and take the appropriate action to minimise and eliminate their effects. This conference is part of that dialogue.” His full statement is available here.
TDs Aodhán Ó Riordáin and David Stanton gave the opening and closing addresses on the day, as both Deputies work to reform the legislative and policy framework for tackling racism and discrimination. Other speakers included: Stephen O’Hare of ICCL, University of Limerick’s Jennifer Schweppe, Carol-Anne O’Brien of BeLonGTo, Seamus Taylor of NUI Maynooth and David Joyce, a member designate of the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.
Speaking after the event, Nasc CEO Fiona Finn stated:
“Ireland is not a particularly racist or discriminatory country, but the reality is the existing framework is not up to the task of combating hate crimes and other types of discrimination. What emerged today in the incredibly insightful presentations and the wide-ranging discussion was the need for significant legislative and policy reforms to promote integration in a multicultural Ireland.”
As a follow up to the conference, Nasc will be publishing a conference summary outlining the actions highlighted in the day’s discussion.
Fiona Finn continued, “We hope the follow up report will serve as the backbone for lobbying for substantial reforms of our current legislative and policy framework to effectively tackle racism and other forms of hate-fuelled discrimination in Ireland.”
For more information, contact jennifer@nascireland.org.
