Racism and intolerance: a lot done, a lot more to do

THE European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) recently published its third report on Ireland.

One of the pillars of ECRI’s work programme is its country-by-country approach whereby it analyses the situation as regards racism and intolerance in each of the member states and makes proposals as to how to tackle the problems identified.

The third-round reports focus on implementation, examine whether ECRI’s main recommendations from previous reports have been put into operation, and, if so, with what degree of success.

The third report for Ireland is largely positive, recognising that progress has been made in a number of the fields highlighted in the last report, such as the adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights Act, the Equal Status Act 2004, and the launch of the National Action Plan against Racism.

In recent years, Ireland has gone from being a relatively ethnically homogenous society to being a very diverse one, and has taken remarkable steps forward in building the framework for an integrated society.

The experience of our European partners shows that not only should we recognise cultural diversity as an asset but also begin a dialogue on what is the optimal environment between the two poles of forced assimilation or segregation and alienation.

The desirable situation, somewhere in the middle of the two poles, must be based on a common respect for justice and fairness, and an appreciation of shared values. A legal framework for hate-speech should be in place, carefully balanced with the protection offreedom of speech.

The media has an important role in promoting tolerance and combating discrimination. It can provide a platform for minority voices, enabling them to dispel myths and highlight their contribution to society, and give a voice to the silent non-racist majority. Integration is a two-way process and education of the host community is vital to its success.

We should fight against intolerance in public discourse and avoid giving too much oxygen to the extremists on all sides.

The economic value of immigrant workers is increasingly being recognised as a key driver of European prosperity and the benefits for individual businesses of diversity in the workplace are being acknowledged.

It has been recognised now in Ireland by agencies such as the National Action Plan Against Racism and NGOs such as the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism and Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, that it is time for mainstreaming policies and initiatives taken by government. A key ingredient of this will be meaningful engagement with trade unions and the business community, as ECRI has recently acknowledged.

European countries are now looking to Ireland to see how we address the issue of integration and the key to this is fully implementing the policies to which we have subscribed in principle.

As the report highlights, further measures are necessary.

There is a need to raise members of minority groups’ awareness of existing mechanisms for seeking redress against racism and racial discrimination.

There is also still a need for the establishment of policies aimed at integrating asylum seekers and refugees into Irish society, and measures for integrating Travellers need to be reinforced. In addition, the increase in demand for nondenominational or multi-faith schools should be met.

Dr Mazhar Bari

Irish Representative

European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance

Carrickmines

Dublin 18