NIHRC to brief UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on anti-immigration riots and racial discrimination concerns

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) will soon brief the UN Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination. By ratifying the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD), the UK Government committed to eliminating racial discrimination in all its forms and promoting understanding among all races. On a periodic basis the UN Committee reviews how effectively the UK is pursuing this goal. The Commission is engaging with the UN CERD Committee over the next week as part of the Committee’s review of the UK, which is due to take place on 13-14 August. To inform their examination, the NIHRC has submitted a report which is available to view here.*

There are a number of issues of concern including: the failure to protect the rights of migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum; the impact of the years long hostile environment; and, outworking of that – the increase of racist hate crime.

During its briefing, the Commission will raise its serious concern at recent events. The Commission will share its views on the human rights impact of the so-called anti-immigration protests. The Commission will note that protest, to be protected by the European Convention on Human Rights (directly applied in Northern Ireland through the Human Rights Act 1998), must be peaceful. The events seen on the streets have not been peaceful but have been brutal and violent; they do not fall within the recognised right to protest. The Commission will also continue to consider and attempt to alleviate the extreme interference with the human rights of all people from minority ethnic groups and those who live and work with them.

Racist hate crime and hate incidents are increasing in NI. The continued presence of paramilitary organisations presents challenges for migrant communities, particularly in relation to housing. There are reports of paramilitary-affiliated individuals perpetrating racist intimidation to deter ethnic minorities from taking up housing in certain areas. Despite that, unlike the rest of the UK, NI has no standalone legislation to tackle hate crime. The Commission recommends that the UK Government and NI Executive act promptly to introduce hate crime legislation in NI, in line with its international human rights obligations.

Support for refugees throughout NI is inconsistent. Limited financial support and restrictions on working can leave people seeking asylum at risk of destitution. Hotels are used inappropriately as long-term contingency accommodation. Access to critical services is limited and support often inaccessible. NI also remains the only part of the UK without a Refugee Integration Strategy. The Commission recommends the prompt introduction of an adequately resourced Refugee Integration Strategy.

The UK’s CERD examination takes place 13-14 August, following this, the UN will publish its new recommendations to the UK.

Alyson Kilpatrick, NIHRC Chief Commissioner, commented:

“The Commission is deeply concerned that violence and brutality is directed at people from minority ethnic backgrounds. This violence and disorder is not protest: it is fuelled by misinformation and hate, it is not advancing any legitimate debate and it violates the rights of people, including some of our most vulnerable people. Every human being regardless of identity or status is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. We all have rights, simply by virtue of our common humanity. Any assault on any human being is an assault on each one of us. Rights are fragile unless enjoyed by everyone equally. Any treatment that falls below that, should be condemned. These recent assaults on our friends, colleagues and neighbours have no place in a society that claims to respect universal human rights.

“The Commission welcomes this timely opportunity with the Committee to highlight the urgent need to tackle racism in all its forms and wherever it reveals itself.”

To read NIHRC’s full submission and recommendations to the UN CERD Committee, please click here.

*At the time of the report’s submission the riots had not yet taken place, the Commission will use the opportunity of its briefing meeting with the Committee to highlight the riots.

ENDS

Notes

About CERD

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is the body of independent experts established under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) to monitor the implementation of the Convention. The Convention itself defines ‘racial discrimination’ and seeks to eliminate racial discrimination in all areas of life, including in the enjoyment of political rights, such as the right to vote, civil rights, such as freedom of movement and the right to nationality, as well as economic, social and cultural rights, such as rights at work and in housing, health care and education.

The UK ratified CERD in 1969, thereby agreeing to take action to eliminate racial discrimination in all its forms. Since the UK’s last review in 2016, NI was without a fully functioning Executive and Assembly for two significant periods, totalling five years. The recent reinstatement of our devolved institutions is welcomed. However, it does not guarantee that the outstanding issues relating to racial discrimination will be addressed, particularly given the reduced time remaining in this mandate.

Earlier this year civil society groups and other stakeholders submitted evidence to the UN on the UK’s progress implementing CERD. The UK’s examination takes place 13-14 August 2024, following this, the UN will publish its new recommendations to the UK.