Anti racist Network

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Wednesday November 19, 2003 11:47

by Davy Carlin - W/Belfast SWP

carlindavid at hotmail dot com

Elections

The ARN has released a press statement asking five initial questions from the poltical parties.

The ARN has released a press statement asking five initial questions from the poltical parties. Only recently established our actions have received wide media coverage and support not only here but Internationally, The ARN and its activists are now the point of first contact for the media and others looking for interviews in relation to anti racism, {with all the main papers contacting us in the last few days} Our recent drawing up and the wide endorsement of our statement indirectly lead the Secretary of state for N.Ireland to raise the issues of racism and racial attacks in N.Ireland in the house of commons. Our call was also followed by the trade union movement, political parties, churches, the combined community sector and student bodies amongst others, with the then censure of that Ulster Unionist member. We have now drawn up a long term strategy to build on that work which includes Anti Racist gigs and rallies etc agreed.

Here is the statement to be circulated to the press and political parties. I am aware that there are five or six political organisations in the ARN {as per above e mail list}who are standing in the elections and they should take the opportunity to draw up a response

ANTI RACIST NETWORK

The Anti Racist Network which comprises of various political organisations, all the major minority ethnic support groups, Trades unionist and Trades union councils, law firms and asylum practitioners, and student groups amongst others have drawn up a list of questions which we seek to have answered by the various political parties
and their candidates standing in the forthcoming elections. We feel such 'real' issues are vitally important and call on the political parties to address these questions both as a party and through their candidates in the course of the debates and discussions during the elections..

1} What is your party policy on racism, asylum, Travellers, migrant workers?

2} If elected what will you and your party do to actively seek to combat the rise in racism and racist attacks.

3} Will you and your party work to end the detention of asylum seekers held in prisons which in effect is criminalizing persons whose 'crime' is to seek asylum.

4} Will you and your party ensure that language will not be used that will cause offence or can be used by others to attempt to increase racial tensions.

5} Will your party actively support events that promote good race relations and seek to forward the race equality agenda. Davy Carlin

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Responses.

by Davy Carlin

Wed Nov 19, 2003 14:29

Responses to the Anti Racist Network's questions, coming in already.

Stephen Alexander, an Alliance Party candidate from West Tyrone.

1} What is your party policy on racism, asylum, Travellers, migrant workers?

Equality is central to Alliance’s agenda and the party is strongly opposed to racism in all its forms. Alliance wishes to etablish an integration policy for asylum seekers in Northern Ireland and would abolish the current practice of placing such persons in detention. We believe Travellers should not suffer discrimination in public policy and will work to ensure that everyone, no matter what their background, is treated equally and fairly. We would work with those who are seeking to ensure that migrant workers are treated properly and not exploited.

2} If elected what will you and your party do to actively seek to combat the rise in racism and racist attacks.

Alliance has raised the growing problem of racism numerous times in the media, and we will continue to highlight the problem where appropriate. For the past three years, we lobbied for the introduction of Hate Crimes legislation, to allow for stiffer sentences for racist attacks. This now looks certain to be introduced in the next few months.

We will also work to enforce the civil duties on public agencies, such as the Roads Service and the Housing Executive, to ensure that their property is free from racist murals and graffiti.

We are currently lobbying for the Football Offences Act (1991) and other relevant legislation to be extended to Northern Ireland, to deal with sectarian and racist chanting at local sports grounds.

3} Will you and your party work to end the detention of asylum seekers held in prisons which in effect is criminalizing persons whose 'crime' is to seek asylum.

Yes. We have already raised this matter with the Home Office, and will do so again. Alliance wants to see asylum seekers housed in more appropriate accommodation, rather than alongside dangerous terrorists.

4} Will you and your party ensure that language will not be used that will cause offence or can be used by others to attempt to increase racial tensions.

Alliance has called for the resignation of elected representatives who attempt to stir racial tensions in the past. We will continue to challenge those who air prejudiced views.

5} Will your party actively support events that promote good race relations and seek to forward the race equality agenda

While the Assembly was operating, Alliance hosted events in Stormont for the Chinese community. Alliance will continue to support appropriate events that promote good race relations in Northern Ireland.

Moving outwards

Thu Nov 20, 2003 14:50

Last nights meeting, the fourth of the ARN seen several new organisations and indviduals represented with Amnesty International the Zimbabwe Solidarity Campaign and the N.I community and equality organisation amongst others attending for the first time, with poltical parties, main ethnic minority support groups, lawyers and asylum workers, political parties, trade union and anti globlisation activiists amongst others also in attending. A rally a gig and much more is being built for - I will post minutes if I find a window.

Recent court case in England

by David C

Thu Dec 04, 2003 06:46

From the Times (London), Dec 03, 2003.

An African asylum-seeker was jailed for ten years by the Old Bailey for raping an Aids counsellor last year. She did not contract the virus. Linkoy Muhuri, 34, of Tottenham, North London, will be deported after serving the sentence.

[__________________________________]

Thu Dec 04, 2003 17:16

Above comment not by me

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