17-25 MARCH – EUROPEAN WEEK AGAINST RACISM (EWAR 2012)
Organising an event for European Week Against Racism?
Let us know!
If you’re organising an activity for the European Week Against Racism, Let us Know! Please answer the questions below, email them back to us at enarireland@gmail.com and we will include it in our online Calendar of Events!
Your action might be large or small – the important thing is that you Speak Out Against Racism!
Maybe you want to hold an event? Maybe you don’t have many resources but want to make your voice heard? Well, this could be the time to report a racist incident? This is the time to call on the Government to change the law to recognise racist crime. Sign our petition or report a racist incident online at www.enarireland.org
European Week Against Racism
European Week Against Racism centres on International Day Against Racism and is co-ordinated in Ireland by the Irish Network Against Racism (ENAR Ireland). This Year, the focus is on Speaking Out Against Racism.
March 21st, International Day Against Racism
March 21st is International Day Against Racism, a day when the people across the globe show their opposition to racism. This annual event declared as a memorial by the United Nations in response to the murder of 69 anti-apartheid demonstrators in Sharpeville, South Africa, in 1960.
EnarIreland@gmail.com Tel. 01-8897110 www.enarireland.org
Get organised and let us know!
If you’re organising an activity for the European Week Against Racism or the International Day Against Racism, send us the detail via email for inclusion in our calendar. We’ll need the following:
- Title of activity
- Name of organisation
- Description of activity (100 words max.)
- Date
- Time
- Location
- Fee to attend the event
- Contact person
- Telephone
- Email address for bookings or press
- Website
For materials and information on the campaign across Europe, visit United’s website, www.unitedagainstracism.org
The Irish Network Against Racism is a national network and the Irish Coordination for the European Network Against Racism.
PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
21 February 2012
Fine Gael’s decision to withdraw the party whip from a councillor over racist comments welcomed by Irish Network Against Racism.
Irish Network Against Racism welcomes Fine Gael’s decision to withdraw the whip from Councillor Darren Scully, over his racist comments in November. The Network had written to Fine Gael asking them to remove Party membership.
Catherine Lynch, National Coordinator said, “The Fine Gael Party has shown some timely leadership in withdrawing the whip from Councillor Scully. . It sends a clear message that racism will not be tolerated by the Party or in politics. Fine Gael and other political parties have signed up to the Network’s Anti-Racism Protocol and we are pleased that they have shown their commitment is not only in words but in their actions.”
“We called on Fine Gael in December and again last week, to respond to the situation and instigate proceedings to remove Party membership from Cllr. Scully. We considered that the Councillor’s position as a public representative and member of Fine Gael was untenable. Public representatives simply cannot do their job if they cannot represent whole sections of the community.”
The Network warns that there has been significant fallout from the Councillor’s actions which seem to have given permission to others to share racist sentiments in the media including on the internet. Again, weaknesses in our legislation come to the fore. It is of utmost concern that since the Councillors comments, we have witnessed further racist comments from our public representatives. The Fine Gael Party had an opportunity to send a clear message that such comments are not acceptable from politicians, our leaders. At all times unethical, discriminatory and irresponsible, such statements may often be against the law.
As the Irish Coordination for the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), we are all too aware of an increase in racism within political discourse across Europe. While in some notable countries, this has manifested through a clear rise in extremism, in other countries we hear such comments coming from the mainstream. If politicians’ racist comments go unchecked, we may face a similar situation here in Ireland.
Conditions regarding racism in political discourse are shifting. The Network monitored racist incidents during the last General Election. Many individual candidates signed up themselves to the Anti Racism Political Protocol. Any sign of a change in this situation must be taken seriously and political parties must have the internal policies and procedures to address this.
Further information: Catherine Lynch, National Coordinator, EnarIreland@gmail.com, 087 2507942.
The Irish Network Against Racism (ENAR Ireland) is a national network of organisations and the Irish Coordination for the European Network Against Racism, an EU-wide network of over 700 NGOs. The Network is the National Independent Monitor of Racist Incidents in Ireland. Report racism online, visit www.enarireland.org
Updated: Previous release welcomed ‘expulsion from party’ but this has not occurred. Cllr Scully has had his whip removed but remains a member of the party.
Preamble
The Anti Racism Election Protocol has played an important role since 2001[1] in ensuring that elections have been conducted in such a way that they do not incite hatred or prejudice on the grounds of ‘race’, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origin, religious belief and membership of the Traveller Community. Political parties that have already endorsed the protocol include:
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Green Party, Labour Party, Sinn Féin, Socialist Party, Workers’ Party, Libertas, People before Profit.
The European Network Against Racism (ENAR) Ireland is inviting individual candidates to demonstrate their commitment to anti-racism by signing the declaration as an indication of their own personal support and endorsement of the protocol.
Declaration of Intent by political candidates
I as a candidate in the 2011 elections agree:
- To send a consistent and clear message to my constituents that I reject racism.
- To condemn any campaign materials or statements that may incite hatred or express prejudice on the grounds of ‘race’, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origin, religious belief and membership of the Traveller Community[2]
- To guarantee that when engaging in on-going debate in relation to groups which are the potential targets of racism, such as asylum seekers, refugees, migrant workers and Travellers, my contribution to such debate is conducted in a responsible way and with respect to the dignity and rights of minority ethnic groups.
- To use appropriate and inclusive language and words when referring to people of different ethnic backgrounds, in order to avoid creating prejudice or confusion.
- To inform all my political campaigners about the intent and contents of this Protocol.
Signed:
Date:
Party:
For further information on the Anti Racism Election Protocol, please contact ENAR Ireland, 55 Parnell Square West, Dublin 1. EnarIreland@gmail.com www.enarireland.org Tel. 01 8897110
Anti Racism Political Protocol
[1] The protocol was originally developed in 2001 by the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) in partnership with all political parties, see: www.nccri.ie
[2] These are the relevant categories defined in the Equal Status Act (2000) and the Employment Equality Act (1998).
PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday 4th January 2012
Stephen Lawrence case demonstrates that the Irish Government must reform criminal law to secure justice for victims of racist crimes urgently.
Two men were today sentenced for the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993 having been found guilty only yesterday, almost two decades later. The Irish Network Against Racism (ENAR Ireland) welcomes the convictions. Catherine Lynch, National Coordinator, said, “Today our thoughts are with the Lawrence family who have fought for near two decades to find justice for their son. The case highlighted failures in the British criminal justice system to deal with racist violence and crime. The Irish Network Against Racism argues that there are also weaknesses in the Irish system. Government and law enforcers alike must take racist incidents seriously. The Network calls on the Government to introduce legislation that deals with racist crime now.”
There is currently no provision within Irish legislation to deal with racist crime. It is at the discretion of judges to consider racist motive as a factor when determining a sentence in a case; these cases are treated like any other case. Making racism a crime sends the message that racism is not acceptable in Irish society and helps secure justice for victims. The Network calls on the Government to prioritise legal reform to deal with racism adequately in Criminal Law.
Reports of racist incidents received the Irish Network Against Racism (ENAR Ireland) indicate the urgent need for action by Government on racially motivated crimes. Many of the commitments made by governments to protecting ethnic minorities from racist crime, have not been met.
The UN has criticised the State’s response to racist incidents. Early last year the UN Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) noted with regret that the review of the Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 had stalled. It also recommended that the racist motivation be consistently taken into account as an aggravating factor in sentencing practice for criminal offences. It recommended that the State take appropriate steps to encourage the reporting of racist incidents and crimes.
Two thirds of the incidents reported to the Network, the national independent monitoring organisation, involve racist violence and crime. Yet Ireland still struggles to monitor racist incidents and legal reform has not kept up with the changes in Irish society.
The reality for ethnic minorities in Ireland is that racism is a daily experience. Catherine Lynch, National Coordinator says, “It is very worrying to see that people cannot feel safe even at home. A number of the incidents reported to us took place just outside the person’s house or on the walk home. Public transport is also an area where we see racist incidents, with taxi drivers and bus drivers alike being the targets of racist abuse. A seemingly minor incident can escalate into a very serious one. We need to be vigilant and monitor all types of incident. A racist incident impacts on the individual and on the whole community. Striking at the core of a person’s identity, it is an attack on who you are.”
Racist incidents are often not reported to police and sometimes people feel that they may not be taken seriously. Only one in six of the people who came to the Network had reported the incident to the Gardaí. Under-reporting is an issue internationally. The Network is working with NGOs and the authorities to try to make sure that there is effective monitoring of racist incidents. This requires commitment from Government. Legislation plays a key role in addressing racism.
Recommendations
- Legislation should be introduced which employs a combination of racially aggravated offences and penalty enhancement provisions.
- The Government needs to support a comprehensive mechanism to monitor racist incidents, which includes NGOs as equal partners in the process. Garda systems must be enhanced to protect against any failure to properly record or follow up on reports of racist incidents.
- Conclude the review of the Incitement to Hatred Act.
Further information: Catherine Lynch, National Coordinator, EnarIreland@gmail.com
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The Irish Network Against Racism (ENAR Ireland) is a national network of organisations and the Irish Coordination for the European Network Against Racism, an EU-wide network of over 700 NGOs.
The Network is the National Independent Monitor of Racist Incidents in Ireland.
Report racism online, visit www.enarireland.org
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We’ve redesigned the site to make it easier to use and to incorporate some new technology to help us monitor racism in Ireland. We hope you enjoy the new design.
ENAR issues the Four Point Call for Action to the Danish, Cypriot and Polish Trio of Presidencies of the EU.
ENAR has published the Memorandum to the Trio of Presidencies on Building an equal Europe for all. The memorandum sets out a four point call for action. Specifically, ENAR calls on the Trio of Presidencies to:
1. Execute negations on Multiannual Financial Framework.
2. Fulfill the EU Commitment towards equality.
3. Address social challenges and contribute to social inclusion.
4. Fulfill commitments to ensure the equal rights of all in Europe.
For the full Memorandum to the Danish, Polish and Cypriot Trio of Presidencies, visit http://cms.horus.be/files/99935/MediaArchive/Memorandum%20Trio%20final.pdf
Fine Gael and Labour formed a Coalition government, taking office on 9th March 2011, following the General Election on 25th February 2011. Enda Kenny, Leader of Fine Gael is the new Taoiseach while Eamonn Gilmore, Labour Party leader takes office as an Tanaiste.
Find out more after the jump
Continue reading The New Government – who’s who? Ministers, deputies…
DURBAN III - TEN YEARS SINCE THE WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM.
On Thursday 22 September, heads of State and government representatives meet in New York for the high-level meeting of the General assembly. The meeting marks the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
There will be a webcast of events. The link to the Durban 111 webpage link is as follows:
http://www.un.org/en/ga/durbanmeeting2011/
For updates and analysis, watch this space or check us out on Facebook.
UN Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (UN CERD) issued its Concluding Observations on Friday 11 March 2011. These can be found at http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/docs/co/Ireland_AUV.pdf
The UN Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination concludes that the economic recession threatens achievements to combat racism and sends a clear message that racism must be back on the political agenda of the new Irish Government.
The Committee’s observations concur with NGO concerns that racism has fallen off the political agenda. The recommendations send a clear message that this situation must be reversed. The Concluding Observations are timely, coming only days after the new Government takes Office. We call on the Government to take seriously and prioritise actions to combat racism as it sets out to deliver the Programme for Government. The Committee’s Concluding Observations can play a crucial role is setting out a mandate for the new Government on anti racism.”
The UN Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination heard the Government’s report on its commitments under the UN Convention on the Elimination on all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) from 22-23 February. It issued its Concluding Observations today, Friday 11 March from Geneva.
Anastasia Crickley, an Irish member of CERD, says that “the Concluding Observations of CERD on Ireland’s third and fourth report echo the concerns and recommendations reflected in the remarks made on the first and second report, calling again on Ireland to work more concretely towards recognising the Traveller community as an ethnic group and to intensify its efforts to implement policies to promote their effective equality. Ireland is reminded that notwithstanding the current economic recession, enhanced efforts need to be made to protect individuals from racial discrimination and that budget cuts should not result in stifling the activities of human rights and other bodies to effectively monitor protection from racial discrimination. The Committee also recommends that legislation be brought forward to improve the protection of all people from racial discrimination.”
The Committee notes with regret that the economic recession threatens to reverse the achievements that have been made by Ireland to combat racial discrimination at all levels. The Committee expresses grave concern over the disproportionate budget cuts to various human rights institutions mandated to promote and monitor human rights such as the Irish Human Rights Commission, the Equality Authority and the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism.
The “persistent refusal” on the part of the State to recognise Travellers as an ethnic group is identified as a key concern. It recommends also that the State undertakes concrete measures to improve the livelihoods of the Traveller community by focusing on improving students’ enrolment and retention in schools, employment, access to healthcare and accommodation including transient sites.
On the issue of hate crime, the Committee makes a number of comments. It notes with regret that the review of the Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 has stalled. The Committee recommends that the Government pass legislation to declare illegal and prohibit racist organisations, in line with article 4(b) of the Convention. It also recommends that the racist motivation be consistently taken into account as an aggravating factor in sentencing practice for criminal offences. It also recommends that the State take appropriate steps to encourage the reporting of racist incidents and crimes.
There is much for the Government to consider in the area of immigration and asylum. The Committee is concerned at the negative impact that the policy of direct provision has had on the welfare of asylum seekers who, “due to inordinate delay in the processing of their applications and the final outcomes of their appeals and reviews, as well as poor living conditions, can suffer health and psychological problems that in certain cases lead to serious mental illness”.
The Committee notes that the lapsed Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill and the fact that current legislation does not provide adequate protection for separated children and unaccompanied minors. It calls on the Government both to improve the existing draft legislation and to pass it into law. In particular, the State should improve the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill to provide for the right of migrants to judicial review against administrative actions and to “ensure the right of migrant women in abusive relationships to legal protection by providing them with separate residence permits”.
The Committee is concerned at the lack of legislation proscribing racial profiling by the Garda Siochána (Police) and other law enforcement personnel. The Committee recommends that the Ireland adopts legislation that prohibits any form of racial profiling, a practice which has the danger of promoting racial prejudice and stereotypes against certain groups in Ireland. Furthermore, Ireland should strengthen its efforts to promote the humane treatment of “migrants and people of non-Irish origin” by the Garda Síochána (Police) and other law enforcement personnel in accordance with international human rights law.
For further information contact:
· Catherine Lynch, European Network Against Racism (ENAR) Ireland – Tel. 01-8897110 EnarIreland@gmail.com or
Background information:
· ENAR Ireland is an Irish network against racism of anti racist organisations working collectively to highlight and address racism. We are the Irish Coordination for the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), an EU wide network of over 700 non governmental organisations. ENAR Ireland and other stakeholders attended the Hearing in Geneva and made a presentation to the Committee. See www.enarireland.org or www.enar-eu.org
· The UN CERD is the oldest UN Committee and has eighteen members including one Irish member, Anastasia Crickley. Anastasia Crickley is the first Irish woman and second Irish person to be appointed to such a UN Committee. Anastasia will be well known to many readers as a founding and active member of the CWC and Head of Department of Applied Social Studies, NUI Maynooth. She had previously acted as Chair of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency until June 2010 and was the Chair of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism.
Resources/References
CERD Concluding Observations are available at:
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/docs/co/Ireland_AUV.pdf
OHCHR Database contains all the reports from the Irish Government to CERD to date as well as CERD documents, see http://tb.ohchr.org/default.aspx?country=ie
The CERD webpage on the OHCHR database includes agenda for CERD Hearing and also NGO shadow reports submitted to the Committee in advance of the Hearing. 11 NGO reports were submitted, see http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/cerds78.htm
21st March is International Day Against Racism, a day when the people across the globe show their opposition to racism. European Week Against Racism centres on International Day Against Racism and is co-ordinated in Ireland by ENAR Ireland.
Check out what’s happening on Online Calendar, www.enarireland.org/ewar2011
To have your event included in our Online Calendar of Events, e-mail details to us at EnarIreland@gmail.com
March 21st, International Day Against Racism
March 21st is International Day Against Racism, a day when the people across the globe show their opposition to racism. This annual event declared as a memorial by the United Nations in response to the murder of 69 anti-apartheid demonstrators in Sharpeville, South Africa, in 1960.
European Week Against Racism
European Week Against Racism centres on International Day Against Racism and is co-ordinated in Ireland by ENAR Ireland. We are celebrating European Week from 21-27 March 2011.
The European Week Against Racism is a series of events, run by people and organisations actively opposed to racism in Irish society. It’s co-ordinated by ENAR Ireland. During the Week thousands of people, not just in Ireland but all across the EU will come together to promote and celebrate equal rights and diversity in Europe. Check out our calendar– and take part in a range of exciting and inspiring activities we’re helping to co-ordinate in Ireland.
This Year, our focus is on 21st March, and celebrating the European Week from 21-27 March. Recognising that in some countries not all events be held during one week, some countries shall celebrate events over two weeks this year from 14-27 March 2011. Our Calendar of Events can also feature events during these weeks.
Funding an issue?
Take the lead from other organisations and contact your local authority or area based Partnership – see how they can support you.
Watch this space for more information on International Day Against Racism and other events during the Week. Check out last year’s events on www.enarireland.org/ewar2010
Get organised and let us know!
If you’re organising an activity for the European Week Against Racism or the International Day Against Racism, send us the detail via email for inclusion in our calendar. We’ll need the following:
- Title of activity
- Name of organisation
- Description of activity (100 words max.)
- Date
- Time
- Location
- Fee to attend the event
- Contact person
- Telephone
- Email address for bookings or press
- Website
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