Press Release: UN International Day Against Racism 2008
New and Old Forms of Racism Still an Issue in Ireland – Latest NCCRI Racist Incident Report
Embargo: Thursday 20th March, 06.00am
The latest NCCRI racist incident report published today, which covers June 2007-December 2007, shows that new and old forms of racism continue to be reported in Ireland and there are indications that such incidents are on the increase.
Some key finding from the NCCRI Racist incidents Report shows:
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In the whole of 2007 there were 99 cases reported as compared with 65 in 2006.
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Racism on the internet is a growing issue with 15% of all cases in the July-December period related to this form of racism
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Half of the incidents reported to the NCCRI in the six month period occurred in the greater Dublin area
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The most likely victims of racist incidents are black African males. However people of Asian origin as well as members of the Traveller community also experienced racism.
The main complaints from people from central and Eastern European relate to issues in the work place.
Positive Action
On a positive note, the NCCRI has received a lot of support from public and non public bodies to ensure that particular complaints are dealt with effectively and to develop intercultural, including anti racism strategies as part of the National Action Plan against Racism.
The following bodies have published or have indicated that they will be publishing intercultural strategies in the near future:
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Football Association of Ireland (published 2007)
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Health Service Executive (February 2007)
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RTE (forthcoming)
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An Garda Siochana (forthcoming)
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Department of Education and Science (forthcoming)
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GAA (forthcoming)
For further information contact Philip Watt, Director NCCRI: 0876370557 or Kate Morris: 0868166490
