New data released by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) shows that in 12 months to the end of June, there were 1,329 crimes with race motivation. This is the highest figure since records began in 2004.
The East Antrim MLA said: “The recent figures released by the PSNI are extremely harrowing. It is shameful that over the past few years, racially motivated hate crimes have become far too common in Northern Ireland.
“Over recent months, this toxic racist rhetoric has been amplified by the spread of misinformation, which has been fuelled by lack of government actions and social media platforms failing to monitor rampant tirades of online hate.
“There needs to be a genuine effort to prioritise action against racism and combat hate crime. It’s time for the First and deputy First Ministers to stop sitting on their hands and take meaningful steps. It’s unacceptable that we are still waiting for a much delayed update to the hopelessly outdated Race Relations Order, which is a crucial element of the Northern Ireland Executive's Racial Equality Strategy.
“Our ethnic minority communities have lost faith in the government and deserve better than this inaction. I will be raising this with the First and deputy First Ministers and calling for urgent, meaningful action.”
The East Antrim MLA said: “The recent figures released by the PSNI are extremely harrowing. It is shameful that over the past few years, racially motivated hate crimes have become far too common in Northern Ireland.
“Over recent months, this toxic racist rhetoric has been amplified by the spread of misinformation, which has been fuelled by lack of government actions and social media platforms failing to monitor rampant tirades of online hate.
“There needs to be a genuine effort to prioritise action against racism and combat hate crime. It’s time for the First and deputy First Ministers to stop sitting on their hands and take meaningful steps. It’s unacceptable that we are still waiting for a much delayed update to the hopelessly outdated Race Relations Order, which is a crucial element of the Northern Ireland Executive's Racial Equality Strategy.
“Our ethnic minority communities have lost faith in the government and deserve better than this inaction. I will be raising this with the First and deputy First Ministers and calling for urgent, meaningful action.”