The Commission calls for a strengthened Racial Equality Strategy (RES) to include a proper assessment of racial inequalities, an action plan supported by resources to address these and clear evidence of high level commitment to drive implementation.
For full details download the Commission’s response to OFMdFM's consultation:
2024 Shadow Report to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
The Equality Commission’s shadow report (pdf) identified a number of critical issues of the UK's compliance with respect to the following key articles of the Convention:
- The Convention in domestic law and the institutional and policy framework for its implementation (Articles 1 and 2)
- Racist hate crime (Article 5)
- Situation of national or ethnic minorities (Articles 2-7)
- Situation of migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons (Articles 2 and 5)
We urge the Committee to support our calls to see the completion and delivery of priority outputs including:
- Reform of Race Equality Law
- A new Racial Equality Strategy
- Ethnic Equality Monitoring to improve public service delivery
- Hate Crime Legislation
- Refugee Integration, including via a dedicated Strategy
2016 Concluding Observations by the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
In August 2016, the CERD Committee published its Concluding Observations on the UK (pdf). Several of its observations and recommendations specifically referenced Northern Ireland and echoed the concerns raised by the Commission as part of our engagement with the Committee. For example, the Committee:
- called on the Executive to adopt ‘comprehensive’ anti-discrimination legislation ‘without further delay’
- raised concerns that data is not collected systematically in all fields ‘most notably in Northern Ireland’ and called on the Executive to publish disaggregated data on the enjoyment of rights by members of ethnic minorities and monitor the impact of its actions
- called on the UK State Party to adopting a detailed action plan with concrete targets, monitoring mechanisms and sufficient resources
- called on Government to take forward a range of actions to address issues of underreporting and tackle racist hate crime and racist hate speech
- raised concerns that the situation of Gypsies, Travellers and Roma has ‘not substantially improved’ and called for Government to develop a comprehensive Strategy in consultation with these communities.
Previous Shadow Reports
The Equality Commission has made its submission to the Council of Europe's 4th Monitoring Report for the UK - Advisory Committee for the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM)
Additional information:
We have published our submission to the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) sixth monitoring cycle report. In our response we specifically focus on issues aligned to our remit which have been identified by ECRI as common topics for this cycle: ethnic minority and LGBTQI+ communities, including equality law reform, hate crime, and the need for effective strategies.
With respect to the specific focus of sixth cycle monitoring, the Committee may wish to consider recommending, via the UK State Party as appropriate:
- that the NI Executive produce equality strategies which convey leadership and gives effect to Equality Commission’s published recommendations for Racial, Sexual Orientation and Transgender Equality;
- that the NI Executive develop a Refugee Integration Strategy and Strategies for Travellers and Roma which take account of the published recommendations of the Equality Commission; and these individual targeted strategies should nest within or be considered a sub-set of an overarching (mainstreaming) Racial Equality Strategy;
- with regards to hate crime, actions in Northern Ireland to address under-reporting and support for victims; reviewing the legal framework for addressing racist violence; improving the accessibility of reporting for those for whom English is an additional language; improving minority representation in police and criminal justice staff; and co-ordinating action to address institutional racism;
- That equality protections are strengthened, harmonised and updated through single equality legislation, which meets best international practice, aligned with the Commission’s recommendations;
- In the absence of single equality legislation, urgent reform of race, sex, and sexual orientation legislation is undertaken to give effect to the published recommendations of the Equality Commission.
For a full list of our recommendations, see Annex 1 of our response to the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) - sixth monitoring cycle review of the UK (pdf, June 2023)
Related information
The Equality Commission NI is a member of the Refugee and Asylum Forum, an informal network of organisations with direct experience of providing support and services to asylum seekers and refugees in Belfast. The forum expresses full support for NI offering refuge to Syrian refugees through the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme (VPR). This is an essential humanitarian gesture in the context of unprecedented displacement and mass suffering.
The Forum has identified five key actions that can be delivered by the NI Executive that would considerably improve the situation for existing asylum seekers and refugees; help smooth the process of integration for VPR Syrian refugees and ease demand on refugee support organisations:
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a Refugee Integration Strategy for Northern Ireland
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a long-term commitment to funding refugee settlement
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a mechanism to ensure no person experiences destitution on being granted refugee status
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all refugees have access to free, accredited English language classes
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work with the refugee support sector to design a Syrian VPR resettlement scheme
These key actions are broadly consistent with the recommendations of the Commission’s Racial Equality Policy Priorities and Recommendations (see above). Read more about the five key actions
Tackling prejudicial attitudes and racism
Research has highlighted the persistence of negative attitudes towards BME groups and migrant workers; lack of participation in public life; and under-reporting of hate crime.
Equality Commission recommendations:
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actions to tackle prejudicial attitudes
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to tackle racial violence and improve reporting
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to promote values of acceptance and respect so as to improve good relations
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increase representation in public life
Race issues in education
The Commission has long been concerned about bullying, nonattendance, drop-out rates and poor educational outcomes experienced by Irish Travellers. The Commission is also aware that Newcomer, Roma or refugee learners can also encounter similar difficulties.
Equality Commission recommendations:
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cultures and language of learners are reflected in the curriculum
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barriers to participation and progression are identified and addressed
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targeted strategies and training are used to progress key issues such as bullying; and that relevant data is collected, and evaluation of progress undertaken
Race issues in employment
In addition to harassment at work, research suggests that key issues include lack of recognition of culture; concentration in low grade, low paid employment; low expectations; recognition of qualifications, lack of English language skills, problems in accessing childcare, gaps in legal protection, exploitation and forced labour.
Equality Commission recommendations:
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ratification of the Migrant Workers Convention and the extension of the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004
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targeted initiatives to maximise participation in employment and training
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to ensure access to appropriate employment support (including childcare and ESOL)
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to tackle exploitation, and to address gaps in employment rights
Race issues in accommodation and housing
An undersupply of appropriate accommodation for Travellers, insecurity of tenure and overcrowding for migrants remain key issues. Issues for refugees also include a lack of time to find suitable alternative housing and difficulties in providing deposits or a suitable guarantor.
Equality Commission recommendations:
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the establishment of a multi-agency Taskforce on Traveller accommodation
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specific measures to address the housing needs of migrants
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accessible information and training for relevant front-line staff on the entitlements of EU Migrants
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a coordinated strategic policy response to the needs of all asylum seekers and refugees
Race issues in health
Poor life expectancy and high levels of suicide persist for the Irish Traveller community. Maternal and infant mortality is also an issue for some BME groups. There are also concerns about poor health outcomes for the Roma community.
Equality Commission recommendations:
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co-ordinated actions to monitor (including collection of relevant data) and address the key health inequalities amongst BME, newcomer and Traveller populations, to ensure measurable improvements in health outcomes; that barriers to access are addressed and that relevant training is provided to service providers
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targeted actions to address the needs of BME groups, including asylum seekers and refugees
Social welfare restrictions on migrant workers, refugees and asylum seekers
Migrant Workers experience restrictions to benefits because of residence rules and may have more limited access to advice. Asylum Seekers and Refugees have similar issues with regards to accessing advice and support.
Equality Commission recommendations:
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the Executive ensures that welfare reform changes are compatible with EU and Human Rights law
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action to address key barriers to accessing benefits so as to ensure appropriate support; clear guidance and support; and that OFMDFM takes appropriate steps to ensure the long term sustainability of the Emergency fund for destitute migrants
Multiple Identities
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We recommend particular attention be paid to addressing multiple identities within the delivery of public services and associated strategies.
Ethnic Monitoring
Research has noted the current absence of robust, reliable statistical or administrative analysis and significant gaps in the knowledge base.
Equality Commission recommendations:
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public authorities ensure effective monitoring systems are in place to ensure effective policy development and service delivery.
All of the Equality Commission's race related press releases, articles and blogs are
available online