Race - from the NICVA Policy Manifesto
Posted by Feargal O'Kane on Feb 12 2007 under Race, Policy Manifesto |
Northern Ireland is undergoing major demographic change due to the impact of globalisation and the enlargement of the European Union. The increasing inward migration means we must increasingly acknowledge that our society not only consists of Catholics and Protestants but also many different minority ethnic and religious groups.
This developing multi-ethnic society includes minority ethnic and faith communities long established as part of our society as well as citizens of other countries and none. Some of the most vulnerable members of our society such as Travellers, asylum seekers, refugees and minority ethnic women and children fall within the protection of the Race Relations Order and Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act.
Unfortunately the reality is that racism is on the increase with daily reports of racist attacks which also include islamophobic and anti-semitic incidents. These attacks are only the most visible manifestation of personal prejudice and racism in institutions, which perpetuates existing inequalities and creates new ones.
We have to start thinking about the needs of this diverse society and planning for a shared future, on the basis of human rights and equality for all. Above all we need to take a human rights approach to race equality based on the effective
participation of minority ethnic groups, explicit linkages to government obligations under international human rights instruments and the ability to hold government to account through monitoring and recourse to remedies.
To meet the entitlements and needs of minority ethnic people and organisations, government and political parties should:
- Ensure the effective implementation of the Racial Equality Strategy and ‘A Shared Future’ policies on the basis of international human rights standards.
- Ensure political parties designate spokespeople on race equality and develop action plans to tackle racism, including institutional racism, based on the vision, principles and shared aims of the Racial Equality Strategy.
- Put in place appropriate monitoring across the whole of the public sector in both employment and service provision. Guidance should also be provided on how to ensure comprehensive data on all groups, particularly in the context of changing demographics and the multiple identities of people in ethnic minorities. This is also essential for the proper planning of public services on the basis of accurate and reliable data.
- Take an employment rights approach to tackle the exploitation of migrant workers rather than an immigration control approach. Immigration law may be a reserved matter but ensuring equal access to public services such as health, education and accommodation is the responsibility of Northern Ireland government, including local government. This will take on added importance during and following the implementation of the Review of Public Administration. To ensure race equality, it is vital that race relations are treated as an integral part of equality and good relations.
- Oppose measures that introduce unequal civil rights in relation to the social assistance safety net such as the lack of entitlement to benefi ts to migrant workers under the Workers Registration Scheme, even though they are paying taxes.
- Tackle institutional racism and build capacity in the public sector by implementing the recommendations in the Macpherson report on the murder of Stephen Lawrence across all public services, including anti-racism training, monitoring and engagement with the minority ethnic sector.
- Ensure adequate funding, including core funding for minority ethnic organisations to enable capacity building for equal participation.
- All government bodies should be fully compliant with the Section 75 statutory duty in their work on minority ethnic issues.
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