Hate crime review outreach event to take place in Derry’s Guildhall

REPRO FREE. EMBARGO UNTIL 0001 6 JUNE 2019: Judge Desmond Marrinan who is leading the Independent Review of Hate Crime Legislation in Northern Ireland. Picture: Michael Cooper

Judge Desmond Marrinan recently published a consultation paper and the public will be able to share their views at an outreach event in the Guildhall next week.

The Department of Justice sponsored review was established in June last year to examine a wide range of issues including developing an agreed definition of hate crime; determining if the current enhanced sentencing approach in Northern Ireland is appropriate; and reviewing, and if necessary expanding, the current protected groups of race, religion, sexual orientation and disability.

Hate crime has overtaken sectarian crime in the North for the last three years. Six hate crimes are reported each day and 50 per cent of those are racially motivated hate crimes, something which the judge describes as ‘alarming’.

The judge and his team have met over 70 organisations and individuals across the North and has heard personal experiences of hate crime.

He said these ‘have been enormously helpful and informative’.

Judge Marrinan said the outreach event in Derry will look at a number of issues, including ‘what groups should be protected by hate crime legislation that aren’t already protected and the important issue of online hate speech’.

He said this is one of the fastest growing areas of hate crime.

“We will also hear the perspective of victims and whether or not there should be restorative justice to deal with hate crimes.”

There is currently no programme of restorative justice for adults in Northern Ireland and the judge said that has been successful in dealing with hate crimes in other countries.

Emma Barronwell, the Hate Crime Co-ordinator from Victim Support NI also encouraged Derry people to have their say on the consultation paper.

“There are currently no proper, robust hate crime laws in NI and due to a number of barriers there is massive under reporting of hate crime.

“We need to hear from people who live and breathe this everyday,” she said.

The outreach event will take place in the Guildhall, Derry, on Wednesday, March 4 at 7pm.

To view the documents or respond to the consultation paper online before March 31 visit www.hatecrimereviewni.org or contact 028 9026 1395.