Ireland under fire over increased levels of racism and intolerance

IRELAND’s increasing levels of racism and a rising intolerance of foreigners came in for severe criticism yesterday from South African’s Education Minister, Kadar Asmal.

Addressing SIPTU’s conference in Galway yesterday, Mr Asmal said he was appalled at the levels of racism, discrimination and xenophobia which have taken root in Irish society.

Mr Asmal said Ireland was no longer the safe haven for those seeking protection that it had been when he lived here.

“Now there is a tendency to demonise those who come to Ireland in search of a better life. This is despite the fact that so many of your ancestors were forced to make the same difficult journey,” said Mr Asmal.

Calling on the Government to act to ensure that racism was tackled, Mr Asmal said many migrants were being exploited and blamed for economic ills that have nothing to do with them.

“Refugees, displaced persons and asylum seekers in search of safety are more often than not treated harshly,” he said.

“You cannot ignore the revival of racism in Europe nor can you turn a blind eye to the ongoing discrimination against gypsies and the rise of extreme nationalism which has led to a hatred of foreigners,” he continued.

In a speech which heavily emphasised Ireland’s role and responsibilities in a global world, Mr Asmal, a long-time trade union activist, called on the Government to take account of the rights of others elsewhere when framing domestic and international policy.

“We must see to it that our Governments ensure that their own policies do not eradicate rights elsewhere. The same must also be said for multi-national companies and other private actors who have benefited most from global changes,” he said.

And in keeping with concerns expressed by SIPTU general president Des Geraghty, Mr Asmal warned that globalisation was having an extremely negative and destructive impact on the world’s poor.

“It has led to rising inequalities within countries because of the shift in labour demands, it has contributed to greater polarisation across countries,” he said pointing out the ever-widening gap between developing and developed countries.

However, Mr Asmal urged Irish people to act in defence of the world’s disadvantaged as the workers of Dunnes Stores had done 20 years ago when they boycotted the sale of South African produce in protest at apartheid.

“It is these actions, those of ordinary working Irish men and women, which made an extraordinary impact on the course of history,” he said.