Ireland: Amnesty International calls on authorities to act against racism

A street in Dublin (illustrative image). Geography Photos / Universal Images Group via Getty Images

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The human rights organization is concerned about the increase in racist attacks in the country.

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With our correspondent in Dublin, Emeline Vin

Colm O'Gorman, the director of Amnesty International in Ireland, reacted to two incidents shared last week on social networks: an Irish woman called a "  negress  " in Galway (west), and a woman of Chinese origin pushed into a canal in Dublin by a group of teenagers.

►Also read: The Irish far-right attacks a migrant center in Connemara

For the activist, the Irish state must more than ever collect statistics on attacks against minorities. "  We know from experience that these attacks are regular,  " notes Colm O'Gorman. But without official data, the actors, not necessarily concerned, cannot realize the extent of racism in Ireland.

No laws on racist assault

If there is no data, it is because there is no law dedicated to racist attacks. This is the second point of Amnesty's appeal: we must legislate.

As long as the protection of minorities is not enshrined in law, they will be vulnerable and will not feel confident. Among the 3,000 victims of racist incidents reported to associations last year in the country, less than 500 have lodged a complaint.

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  • Ireland
  • Racism

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