Addressing an anti-racism rally in Belfast today, Amnesty International Northern Ireland director Patrick Corrigan, will say:

“Once again, racism has shown its ugly face on our streets. We have come very close this week to the loss of life. We are just one petrol bomb away from racially motivated murder.

“Too many political representatives have chosen to fan the flames of hate rather than put them out. By linking immigration to crime, by blaming migrants for pressure on housing or public services, they seek to turn neighbour against neighbour.

“This rhetoric is not only dangerous — it is dishonest. It gives cover to racism.

“People working in our hospitals, in social care or in factories are not the problem. People fleeing war, persecution or poverty are not the problem. Racism is the problem.

“When leaders suggest that migrants are to blame for our social ills, they distract from their own failures to address those challenges.

“What Northern Ireland needs is not more division. It needs real leadership — leadership that stands up for human rights, that protects all communities, and that recognises the value of diversity.

“We call on every political party to end the language of scapegoating. To condemn racist attacks without qualification. To commit to serious action against hate crime, and to put in place an Executive anti-racism strategy which is worthy of the name.”

The rally, called ‘stop the violence, stop the hate’ is due to take place at Belfast City Hall today (Saturday) at 12 noon.

ENDS 

Amnesty media contacts: 

Patrick Corrigan, email: Patrick.Corrigan@amnesty.org.uk / 07740 623155 

Out of hours: media@amnesty.org.uk / 07721 398984