Experts in a leading human rights organisation believe there may be a reluctance on the part of the PSNI to pursue paramilitaries involved in anti-migrant violence for fear of “upsetting the fragile peace”.
The Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) also said the teaching of de-colonisation should be mandatory in Northern Ireland, urged the Department of Education to develop an LGBTI action plan, and suggested lessons on contraception and abortion services should be compulsory here.
The ECRI’s latest report is published today, and highlighted the possible involvement of paramilitary groups in violent attacks against migrant-owned businesses and places of worship.
The human rights watchdog said it is “deeply concerned” about a significant recent increase in attacks, mentioning the firebombing of businesses owned by people with a migration background in Belfast in August.
It also noted similar attacks against premises used for worship by religious minorities, notably mosques, suggesting “there might be a degree of involvement by paramilitary groups”.
The 46-member ECRI claimed the “police have reportedly been reluctant to investigate effectively for fear of upsetting the fragile peace prevailing between different paramilitary groups.”
“ECRI recommends that the relevant authorities, in particular the police and other criminal justice actors, carry out effective investigations into any cases of attacks against persons with a migration background and their properties in Northern Ireland and ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable,” the report added.
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In response, Assistant Chief Constable for Local Policing Bobby Singleton said the PSNI “categorically reject” claims it has been reluctant to investigate such criminality.
“ECRI have not engaged with PSNI with regards to these claims had they done so we could have easily set the record straight,” he added.
“To the contrary, our response to racially motivated hate crime and recent violence led to around 50 arrests and we will continue to relentlessly pursue those involved without fear or favour.
“As a Police Service, we do not underestimate the impact hate crimes have on victims, their families and wider communities. It is totally unacceptable that anyone is targeted simply because of who they are or where they come from.”
Mr Singleton continued: “There is an onus on us all to support people who have chosen to make Northern Ireland their home, to engage communities impacted by hate, to challenge prejudice and help bring offenders to justice by making any relevant information available to police.
“Unsubstantiated claims like this are wholly irresponsible as they adversely impact the confidence of the very communities that fall victims to these attacks making them reluctant to report allowing offenders to escape justice.
“The Police Service of Northern Ireland will continue to stand with our diverse communities against those cowards who would attack them.
“We will police this situation as robustly as the law permits and do everything in our power to bring people to justice for these hateful crimes.”
In its report, the ECRI also noted how in Northern Ireland, parents are able to excuse their child from certain aspects of the Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) curriculum, and LGBTI issues are not part of teacher training.
In June 2023, the Government introduced legislation to ensure that pupils here receive age-appropriate information about access to contraception and abortion services.
At the time, the NIO said the regulations would result in “educating adolescents on issues such as how to prevent a pregnancy, the legal right to an abortion in Northern Ireland, and how relevant services may be accessed”.
However, each school develops its own RSE policy in line with its own ethos. In secondary schools, a parent can remove a pupil from sessions covering sexual health and the prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion.
The ECRI encouraged the authorities here to make RSE mandatory for all students in Northern Ireland and to include LGBTI issues in teacher training.
It also recommended that, in Northern Ireland, the relevant authorities set up a working group to develop and adopt an LGBTI action plan.
It said this should be done in close consultation with relevant civil society actors and representatives of the LGBTI communities.
The report also listed a range of topics that “should be mandatory for all learners”.
“The history curriculum in Northern Ireland contains a range of statutory minimum content and can cover Black history.
“It is nevertheless up to individual teachers to decide whether, for instance, the Muslim awareness month and Black history month are used for teaching.
“Similarly, ‘Gypsy’, Roma and Traveller history or de-colonisation are not taught in all schools.
“In the view of ECRI, this should be mandatory for all learners, and teachers should receive more detailed guidance and a minimum standard on this matter.”