The European Network Against Racism Ireland (ENAR) is encouraging people to sign a petition calling for hate crime legislation to be enacted in Ireland.
The petition is titled “Love Not Hate: Unite to legislate against hate crime.” It calls on the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, to “protect those among us who are perceived to be different because of our skin colour, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical, intellectual, mental abilities and so on.
“We need to send a clear message that racism and hate have no place in our communities and that our society should be inclusive of all.”
Unlike most other EU countries, Ireland has no legislation in place to deal with hate crimes, as the petition reminds us.
The victim of the brutal homophobic and xenophobic attack in Central Dublin in late September, Danilo Matta, called on the Government to implement hate crime legislation to make Ireland a safer place for the LGBT+ community.
“My wish is that no one should experience hurt in this kind of way anymore. It’s horrible. I just want Dublin to be a bit more safe for everyone. Not just gay people, but for everyone,” he said.
After this event, ENAR Ireland tweeted a message of support for the LGBT+ community, pointing out how the needs of minority communities intersect. “We need #hatecrime legislation to protect our minorities & make them feel safer in IRE.”
We need #hatecrime legislation to protect our minorities & make them feel safer in IRE. It was recognised as a burning issue for #LGBTQ community in @nxfie report & during #CERD19 consultation w/ ethnic/religious minorities. Pls sign #LoveNotHate petition: https://t.co/4g1rMmCEN9 https://t.co/p0Hqrsh7B6
— INAR – Irish Network Against Racism (@INARIreland) October 4, 2019
ENAR Ireland is the Irish branch of the European Network Against Racism. It is comprised of a network of anti-racism organisations from civil society which aims to address racism in Ireland.
Calling for legislation against hate crimes has been a priority for them and for other groups such as Muslim community group Calling All Allies, which was set up in the wake of the New Zealand attacks earlier in the year.
You can sign the petition here.
© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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