The South Belfast MLA has said: “With racially-motivated attacks now exceeding three a day in Northern Ireland on average, the time for condemnation solely in words is over - urgent action is now required to address this appalling toll.
“These are targeted attacks against minority communities, who are then being left without adequate social and legal protections given how outdated our legislation is.
“Work by the First and deputy First Minister on updating the Race Relations Order, renewing the Racial Equality Strategy, and delivering a Refugee Integration Strategy is long overdue. We have seen little evidence of this work and are told it may be 2026 before a start is even made on implementing most of it.
“That is far too long for vulnerable communities to have to wait. We need to see evidence of meaningful action being taken to deliver the best possible legal protections, vastly improve relations, and put an end to the fear so many of our citizens are living in right now.
“This requires urgent leadership by the First and deputy First Minister, prioritising the relevant legislation and strategies in the coming weeks, rather than years.”