Newsletter July 2002 - National Anti-Racism Campaign
It is only in the recent past that Irish society has begun to acknowledge racism as an internal problem to be addressed. Increasing immigration and a more visibly diverse society has lead to a situation whereby this issue can no longer be ignored. However, a challenge remains in getting the majority population to acknowledge that racism is the root cause of the exclusion experienced by Travellers.
Racism is a specific form of discrimination based on skin colour or membership of a minority ethnic group. It is a system of group dominance which is both structural and ideological: it is a potent combination of power, prejudice and underlying assumptions of the 'norm' whereby society is influenced and shaped by the views of the dominant group. As a result the policies, practices and structures based on these assumptions impact negatively on those who do not belong to the dominant group.
Within the dynamics of racism, it is the minority who are invariably blamed for not adjusting to the prevailing norm; it is implicitly assumed that to hold and voice prejudices is legitimate; that the prevailing negative stereotypes are based on fact and not prejudice; and that the minority group?s failure to conform is a consequence of their innate inferiority. As a consequence there is little or no understanding of the impact on the minority population of racism and its daily expression: in particular the impact at both the individual and community levels of the internalisation of discrimination and on people?s ability to engage.
NPAR
?The development of a National Action Plan Against Racism in Ireland (NPAR) represents a significant opportunity to both build upon and enhance existing policies and strategies to address racism in Ireland and to identify new priorities, aspirations and areas of work that can be drawn together into an overall, cohesive plan.
A number of factors provide a strong rationale for developing a NPAR at this point in time in Ireland:
- The increased recognition of the serious challenges posed by racism at global, regional and national levels and the need for greater consistency and effectiveness on how these challenges are addressed.
- Increased awareness of the value of cultural diversity at global, regional and national levels and the need to build inclusive, intercultural and equality priorities into public policy.
- The specific outcomes from the World Conference Against Racism, in particular Irish government commitments to the Declaration and Programme of Action arising from the Conference.
- The increased potential of strengthening North/South co-operation and partnership in addressing racism within Ireland.?
So says the preface to the discussion document circulated by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in March of this year. The development of this Plan presents an opportunity to push for a coherent response to the issue of racism. It is imperative that the emerging Plan has the full and committed backing of the State and that the appropriate resources are put in place to realise an inclusive and intercultural society. It is equally important to ensure that the gains made are not rowed back.
Also in the discussion document the following framework for the NPAR was
outlined:
1. Legislation
2. Policy and practices
3. Strategies to build an inclusive and intercultural society
4. Education and awareness raising
5. Information, communication and the media, including new technologies
6. Provision of effective remedies, recourse and redress
The consultation process the State has undertaken included a national conference in March and a series of regional roundtable discussions. Ironically this process started the week the Housing Act was past by the Oireachtas. Any interested individuals or organisations can write to the Department before of the end of August. It is important that as many Traveller organisations and others committed to human rights and an anti-racist society write in before the deadline (31/8/2002). It is advisable to use the framework outlined above so that your contribution can be accommodated into the emerging plan.
If you like a copy of Pavee Point?s submissions contact us at pavee@iol.ie
The Key issues for Travellers
- Workable 'Incitement to Hatred' legislation
- Repealing of Section 24 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2002
- Proper review of Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998
- Strong state support for the equality legislation and institutions
- Following through on the range of policy commitments made to Travellers so that positive change happens
- Equality proofing and monitoring of state policy and practice
- Genuine partnership between Travellers and the state in building an intercultural society
- An acknowledgement of, and response to, the different ways different members of minority ethnic groups experience racism, for example Traveller children.
- A commitment to address the issues raised by the lack of positive visibility of minority ethnic groups in the media