Racist intimidation in the North particularly dangerous due to involvement of loyalist paramilitaries: CAJ
A leading human rights expert has said racist intimidation in the North is particularly dangerous due to the involvement of elements of loyalist paramilitaries.
Daniel Holder, Director of the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ), said far-right, racist and anti-migrant rhetoric and networks are being amplified and fuelled online.
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and local member group CAJ expressed deep concern at the racist violence and intimidation of migrants from their homes that has taken place in Belfast and other localities in the jurisdiction this week.
Mr. Holder said: “We are witnessing the manipulation and exploitation of a horrific crime to collectively scapegoat and target whole ethnic groups and communities who had nothing to do with it.
“What has made racist intimidation in Northern Ireland so dangerous has been the involvement of elements of loyalist paramilitary groups. This has been compounded in recent years with increased anti-migrant and Islamophobic far right organising and amplification online and in public space.”
Mr. Holder said that prior to the events of this week CAJ had been concerned about the potential for a third summer of racist street violence due to an uptick in far right activity online and in the public space in specific localities in recent weeks, including murals stirring up fear and racial hatred and presenting migrants collectively as a threat.
The CAJ and FIDH urged the authorities in Britain and the North to take immediate steps, including implementation of the relevant outstanding UN treaty body recommendations, to combat racism and far right activity in the jurisdiction.