NI authorities urged to get tough on racists

The North's justice system was challenged today to enforce tough plans to lock up racist thugs for up to 14 years.

In an attempt to halt an onslaught of attacks on ethnic minority groups across the North, the authorities have announced a proposed legislative crackdown on hate crimes.

Homophobes and bigots also face longer prison sentences under the draft Criminal Justice (NI) Order.

But with Asians and Africans in parts of Belfast being forced to flee their homes, representatives insisted that the proposals were worthless if more tormentors are not captured.

Patrick Yu, head of the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities said: “We don’t have confidence in the whole criminal justice system if no one is prosecuted.

“There are cases with strong evidence but the Director of Public Prosecution drops them without any reason.

“What we need to do is put more of these people in jail.”

The new plans outlined by Criminal Justice Minister John Spellar would require judges to take into account any racial, religious or sexual orientation factors when sentencing.

Sentencing powers where violent attacks are connected to so-called hate crimes would also increase.

Maximum jail terms for offences such as grievous bodily harm would rise from five to seven years, while the tariff for criminal damage would go up from 10 to 14 years.

Mr Spellar said: “The government abhors all forms of intolerance whether based on racism, sectarianism or sexual orientation.

“Proposals introduced in the Criminal Justice (NI) order 2004 would see much needed changes to legislation in Northern Ireland, strengthening the law to tackle crime motivated by hatred.”

The consultation paper has been published amid a major new attempt by police chiefs to end the campaign of intimidation and violence directed against vulnerable communities.

Attacks against ethnic minorities have risen by around 40% in the last year, with many of the most sickening assaults centred in a Protestant part of south Belfast.

Loyalist paramilitaries who control the Village district have been blamed for driving Chinese and Ugandan families from their homes.