Tackling prejudice - Inaction on racism stores up trouble

WALK down any street in Ireland today and you will hear the accents of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, voices which are now adding to the rich complexity of our increasingly multi-cultural society.

But, as illustrated yesterday, when the nation marked International Day Against Racism, there is a compelling need for the state to take a far more active role in promoting social harmony, countering racism and preparing immigrants not alone to work in this country but also to live here.

Our newfound sense of cultural diversity follows an influx of tens of thousands of people lured by a burgeoning economy to live and work here.

But breaking down barriers is something the Government has failed to address according to those at the cliff face of this problem.

According to Imran Khan, a British-based commentator, institutional racism is rife here.

He warns that unless the Government acknowledges this reality, someone will die because of the colour of their skin. An official unwillingness to put legislation into force, makes laws on the statute book next to useless. To be effective, every piece of legislation must be tested for its racial or human rights impact. Whether it advances or derogates human rights is the litmus test.

Against this backdrop it is timely to take an in-depth look at how Ireland is preparing for the day when society will be truly multi-cultural. Looking towards that day, SIPTU held a special meeting yesterday to air the views of its non-Irish shop stewards, a welcome move.

In this island nation, however, racism is not confined to the Republic. Following a spate of racial and homophobic incidents in the North, hate crime has been identified as the biggest challenge facing police there.

In the South, where racial violence is not monitored, the Government should acknowledge the findings of an Amnesty report on the experience of minority ethnic communities. It found serious gaps in the state’s anti-racism framework.

It has long been known that certain agencies of the state, notably the Department of Justice, tend to display racist attitudes towards minority ethnic communities, including Travellers.

Compiled by the Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway, the report calls for: members of minority ethnic communities to be recruited by the state; for mandatory human rights and anti-racism training at all state institutions; for action to identify and clamp down on racism; and for tough measures against the perpetrators of racial discrimination plus realistic redress for victims.

Essentially, the document questions the Government’s political will to acknowledge the extent and gravity of institutional racism. It reflects the need for an enforceable code of practice at all state institutions, especially within the gardaí and the judiciary, where the risk of racism is highest.

There a need to encourage integration across the spectrum of society before it is too late. Fundamental human rights principles should inform all policy decisions on education, employment, planning, language teaching, housing, and the workplace.

Warnings that an economic downturn could cause difficulties for Irish workers should not go unheeded. There is a real risk that immigration could become a cause of conflict in the future, a threat which has been highlighted by experts in the field.

There is an onus on politicians to give a lead on this vexed issue. Arguably, the Government should protect the rights of immigrants and minority groups with the same energy it has devoted to enhancing the status of the illegal Irish in America.

Unless these problems are addressed from the top down, a racist time bomb, which could explode one day, will inevitably be primed.