Northern Ireland politicians 'must unite against racists'

Politicians from both sides of the divide in Northern Ireland must stand up to people responsible for an increase in racist attacks, an Assembly member urged today.

Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey, who was preparing to meet Liberal Democrat Northern Ireland spokesman Lembit Opik and Labour MPs separately at Westminster today, urged all sides to face down those behind attacks on ethnic minorities in Belfast and elsewhere.

With the Northern Ireland Select Committee currently carrying out an inquiry into plans to tackle hate crimes, Mr Maskey said he would be raising the effectiveness of legislation as well as funding for ethnic minority groups and organisations.

“In recent times there has been a marked increase in the volume of racially-motivated attacks, particularly here in Belfast and in parts of Upper Bann and in the activities of various right wing groupings,” the South Belfast MLA said.

“Those of us in political leadership have a responsibility to challenge this directly. Political parties have to make it clear that there is no place in our society for the sort of racism and intolerance which has sadly been on the increase.”

South Belfast has been plagued by a series of attacks on minorities.

The most recent incident was on Wednesday when a Chinese woman was punched in the face and verbally abused on her way to work.

The assault occurred in the Lower Crescent area but no complaint was made to police when they answered a call.

There have also been attacks on members of the Ugandan, Chinese, Pakistani and Filipino communities, with some of the worst incidents occurring in the loyalist Village area of South Belfast.

Members of the loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Volunteer Force are believed to have been involved.

There have also been racial attacks in nationalist areas.

Last month, the world heard about racial violence in Northern Ireland when the president of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal Arroyo condemned an attack on two Filipino couples in Craigavon, Co Armagh.

President Arroyo said she would be seeking assurances from the British government about her citizens’ safety in Northern Ireland.

As he prepared for today’s meetings, Mr Maskey recalled how the 1998 Good Friday Agreement set about creating a tolerant and peaceful society in Northern Ireland – not just for nationalists, republicans, unionists or loyalists but all communities.

Racism, he said, had to be confronted and challenged vigorously from whatever quarter.

“To that end we will engage with people from across the political spectrum who are prepared to stand together to confront racism,” the Sinn Féin MLA said.