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NICEM press release on CSI consultation document
Tuesday 27 July 2010
OFMDFM FINALLY STEPS UP TO THE NEEDS OF ETHNIC MINORITIES IN NORTHERN IRELAND
NICEM welcomes the long overdue release of OFMDFM’s consultation document on the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration (CSI).
We welcome the clarification that the CSI Programme is not intended to supersede or replace the Racial Equality Strategy for Northern Ireland 2005-2010, but that it completes it by providing the framework for the delivery of good race relations through a co-ordinated process.
NICEM strongly encourages the Executive to continue the current Strategy whilst initiating a new process to develop the Racial Equality Strategy 2012-2017 that will focus on delivery.
Patrick Yu, NICEM's Executive Director, stated: "NICEM has been relentlessly lobbying for peaceful co-existence between all communities in Northern Ireland (1). We have also campaigned for the setting up of a crisis fund for individuals who slip through the safety net through no fault of their own and end up in destitution and in need of short-term or bridging support. We look forward to the Executive taking a pro-active role in tackling difficult issues on immigration exceptions through a joined up approach and strong partnership with community organisations."
NICEM’s initial reaction to OFMDFM’s CSI consultation document is therefore positive and hopeful. We will lead a consultation with ethnic minority organisations in Northern Ireland, by October 2010, to provide an exhaustive critical analysis of the document through an inclusive capacity building process.
END…
For further information please contact:
Patrick Yu
Executive Director
NICEM
Office: 02890 238645
Mobile: +44 (0) 7710767235
Notes to the editor
The Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities is an independent non-governmental organisation monitoring racism and inequality in Northern Ireland. As an umbrella organisation NICEM represents the interests of Black and minority ethnic groups in Northern Ireland.
NICEM’s vision is of a society where equality and diversity are respected, valued and embraced, a society free from all forms of racism, sectarianism, discrimination and social exclusion, where human rights are guaranteed. NICEM offers a racist harassment support and advocacy service for victims of racially motivated violence, this is a client-centred approach focusing on the needs of the victim, whether that be assistance with housing applications or criminal compensation claims. Due to lack of government funding, as a charity NICEM has had to seek alternative sources to fund this vital work.
(1) In our recent submission on the Public Assemblies Bill we highlighted that: “In Northern Ireland decades of communal divisions and violence expressed through parades (religious or political), as well as counter-protests, are not compatible with our post-conflict society under the Belfast Agreement. We need to redouble our efforts to promote and to provide social conditions that foster dialogue, engagement and understanding of the meaning of co-existence and inter-dependence between key players, particularly the Orange Institution and the local residents' groups, in order to resolve issues of competing interests in parades and counter-protests under the societal values of human rights, equality, democracy and the rule of law, which are enshrined in the Belfast Agreement.”
“The world is watching us, and so are our children and grandchildren. Our economic stability heavily relies on external investments as well as on our exports to different parts of the world. The sad and ugly images of communal violence during the parades season, as well as the racist attacks against minority ethnic people (the foreigners) are extremely detrimental in terms of inward investment and tourism.”
“This is a new dimension of co-existence and inter-dependence in the global village our planet has now become. We have gone much beyond the lines of orange and green; we are now part of a rainbow of all colors and nations. Our religion, culture and language are the fabric of the society we are proud to be part of. Our identity should be based on mutual respect and tolerance. We should learn to live, work, learn, play and entertain each other through confidence building and social programmes of de-segregation such as education, social housing, health services, public transport, etc. Above all, it is essential that these fundamental rights are protected under international human rights law, in particular the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom which enshrined into the Human Rights Act 1998.”
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