Belfast Stands Against Racism rally at Belfast City Hall, 12:30pm today

PSNI recorded 1,777 racist incidents and 1,150 racist attacks last year  

‘We demand more than token gestures and empty strategies. When the Racial Equality Strategy expires at the end of this year, we demand better to follow’ – Patrick Corrigan 

Speaking at the Belfast Stands Against Racism rally today (Sunday 27 April), Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland Director, said:

“We stand here today because words without action are not enough.

“The Northern Ireland Executive’s racial equality strategy has failed. That’s not me saying it. That’s what the recent independent review – commissioned by the Executive – found.

“The strategy has lacked resources, targets, and effective action plans. Promises made years ago remain broken. Meanwhile racism has grown. Last year race hate crime here hit an all-time high.

“Years of complacency left bigoted thugs, including the masked men who wrap themselves in a false flag of patriotism, emboldened to carry out an ever-greater number of attacks.

“We demand more than token gestures and empty strategies. When the Racial Equality Strategy expires at the end of this year, we demand better to follow.

“Belfast deserves better. Northern Ireland deserves better. Every person living here, regardless of race or background, has a right to feel safe, respected, and heard.”

Last year saw racist hate crimes hit new all-time highs in Northern Ireland

The PSNI recorded 1,777 racist incidents and 1,150 racist attacks in 2024, reaching the highest ever recorded levels during the summer period.