Immigrant Council urges Government to ensure swift and effective implementation of new national plan against racism.
Tuesday, 21st March 2023
Immigrant Council urges Government to ensure swift and effective implementation of new national plan against racism.
The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) has welcomed the publication today (21.03.23) of a new national action plan against racism, while urging Government to ensure its effective implementation so that it reaches all communities and puts an end to emerging trends of hatred and division.
The ICI also welcomed the inclusion of a Special Rapporteur as part of the plan, who will be tasked with monitoring the implementation of the plan, as well as progress towards the objectives that are set.
Responding to the launch, Immigrant Council CEO, Brian Killoran said: “We at the Immigrant Council, along with others in civil society, have been calling for this plan for several years. It is much needed to raise the visibility of racism, to focus resources on supporting victims, and ensure that disinformation and bias have no place in Irish communities. For too long the issue of racism has been seen as not impacting Ireland – a position which stands in stark contrast to the experiences of many within migrant and diverse communities who have been on the receiving end.
“Recent upsurges of anti-migrant sentiment, corralled and fanned by the far right, show that the need is clearly there to stop the spread of prejudice and division. Ireland is diverse, and that diversity is a massive positive for all of us. Those who would seek to lay the blame for all the failings within our society, such as housing or healthcare issues, at the feet of new communities have nothing to offer but corrosive, racially charged sentiments and misguided blame. This action plan must be a clarion call to all of us within Irish society who value diversity to work together to hold the line against hate.”
The action plan was developed by an independent anti-racism committee, with proposed actions aimed at helping to make Ireland a place where the impacts of racism are acknowledged and actively addressed. In response to today’s launch, the Immigrant Council urged government to adequately resource and plan the implementation of the new national action plan and ensure that those impacted are at the centre or its delivery.
Immigrant Council Integration Manager Valeria Aquino added: “Only those who have experienced racism can adequately describe its impact. It cuts a personal wound which is not easily healed. You are being attacked for a fundamental part of your identity – your skin colour, your religion, your nationality – and made to feel that you are somehow less of a person, less of a human being, because of it. Those of us who have been impacted by racism know that it is not the majority opinion of Irish society, but it does exist, and it is up to all of us to collectively respond, guided by those who have experienced it.”
In order to achieve the objectives outlined in the national action plan, the Immigrant Council is calling on government to ensure the following:
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Cultural competency training for public services frontline staff.
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Mandatory diversity strategies in organisations across all sectors.
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Ring-fenced funding for an independent support/ helpline for victims of racism, as well as access to mental health supports for victims of racism.
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Public awareness campaigns tackling unconscious bias, disinformation and promoting the benefits of cultural diversity.
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Involvement of diverse voices in the implementation and overseeing of the plan.
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Introduction and commencement of effective hate crime legislation.
ENDS
Contact: Sorcha MacMahon / Niamh Breathnach, Alice Public Relations, Tel: 087-7585337 / 085-1461231. Email: media@alicepr.com
Notes to the Editor
About the Immigrant Council
The Immigrant Council of Ireland is the leading national human rights organisation working to defend migrant rights in Ireland. It provides free immigration advice and legal support through its helpline and law centre, as well as campaigning for immigration reform. The Council also provides support to victims of racism and human trafficking, and provides opportunities for migrants to connect with each other and their communities. Visit www.immigrantcouncil.ie for more information.
The Immigrant Council’s Anti-Racism Support service is available online at www.immigrantcouncil.ie/reportracism .
Follow the Council on social media:
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/immigrationIRL