Minister to review laws dealing with racism

INTEGRATION Minister Mary White is to meet the Nigerian ambassador and review the laws on racism in the wake of the death of an African schoolboy.

The Green Party minister yesterday called for calm as mourners attended the funeral of 15-year-old Nigerian Toyosi Shitta-bey.

The west Dublin youth was stabbed to death on Good Friday and community leaders have moved to ease tension in the area since his death.

Speaking outside the funeral home in Lucan yesterday, Ms White said: “It is important that people who come to live here and come from different ethnic backgrounds can be treated with respect and full integration that all the Irish Government can offer.

“The local Dublin people want to show their support for this young man and his family... We certainly don’t want any escalation of violence.”

Nigerian Ambassador Kemafo Nonyerem Chikwe had agreed to meet the incoming minister, she said.

“We’re going to set up a meeting over the next few weeks when we get over this difficult period.

“As a new minister, I’m open to fresh ideas and want to make sure that as a nation we are comfortable with ourselves, with all our new Irish.”

Ms White plans to review the laws and agencies concerned with race in Ireland.

“My immediate wish is to look at all the legislation, have a look at all the agencies like the Equality Authority of the Human Rights Commission.

“After I’ve conducted that review, I will issue a report and see where we’re going.”

Attending the funeral, Ambassador Nonyerem Chikwe said: “There is a lot of grief in the Nigerian community and tension and sadness and everybody is afraid.

“The family is devastated. A strategy should be introduced to mainstream people of colour in the community so we can work together.”

Supporters and friends of Toyosi Shitta-bey have organised a rally tomorrow in Dublin city centre in memory of the boy.

Organisers want football clubs, students, trade unions and politicians to assemble and said: “We want to ensure that this tragedy is turned to good by mobilising all communities and ethnic groups to work together for a better society for us and for our children.”