Historical tensions persist in Northern Ireland, fueling outbreaks of violence aimed at immigrants.
Northern Ireland's Modern-Day Strife: Rising Racism and the Impact on Ethnic Minorities
BELFAST - The streets of Belfast, once a familiar battlefield for bullets and bombs, have taken on a new face of strife in the form of racist violence. Raied al-Wazzan, an Iraqi immigrant who moved to the city in the 1990s, found solace in its diversity amongst the regional divisions, but now, fear has taken root.
Over a tumultuous week, masked, anti-immigrant rioters wreaked havoc, attacking police and setting fire to migrant homes. The upsurge of what police call "racist thuggery" is particularly dangerous in a region with a legacy of sectarian violence and lingering paramilitary influence.
"I cannot venture into certain areas alone, nor drive through them," shared Al-Wazzan, the vice-chair of the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Equality, an umbrella organization promoting inclusivity. "Even places I lived once are no longer safe for me, my family, or anyone sporting a different skin tone."
This surge of hostility was sparked by two Romanian teenagers appearing in court on charges of sexual assault. The news sent shockwaves through Ballymena, a primarily Protestant working-class town, catalyzing intolerance and violence against migrants. Similarly affected towns included Larne, Newtownabbey, Portadown, and Coleraine, communities echoing Ballymena's religious and socio-economic profile.
The legacy of Northern Ireland's conflict has left an indelible mark on its society, with segregation along religious lines still common, particularly in housing and education. However, analysis reveals a revealing shift in the nature of social tensions, as the number of recorded hate crimes related to race eclipsed those of a sectarian nature almost a decade ago[1].
Patrick Corrigan, the local director of Amnesty International, witnessed firsthand the sinister influence of paramilitary groups on the rise of rampant racism. He described women and children barricaded in attics, gasping for air as rioters torched their homes. Donnelly, who instructs an English class for migrant workers as part of the UNISON trade union's Project, shared that half her students are now too afraid to attend[1]. Corrigan's concern over the potential for imminent loss of life echoes her sentiments.
Although the main Irish Republican and loyalist militant groups have been disarmed due to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, splinter groups still exert control through intimidation, extortion, and drug trafficking. These factions have been implicated in racially-motivated attacks[1].
Some argue that the root cause of the rising tide of racial hostility can be traced back to economic pressures and social changes. With increasing competition for resources, the influx of migrants has become a contentious issue for local residents. However, many residents still welcome and appreciate the cultural richness that migration brings[1].
Professor Dominic Bryan, a researcher at Queen's University Belfast, sees parallels between historic sectarianism and modern-day racism. "Sectarianism and racism have never been far from each other," he asserts. "Yet, it doesn't surprise me that, as society evolves and Northern Ireland becomes a different place than it was even thirty years ago, some of this 'out grouping' shifts." This shift, while concerning, offers an opportunity to dismantle the barriers of intolerance and foster a more inclusive, equitable society[1].
With no specific hate crime legislation in Northern Ireland, local justice minister Naomi Long pledged to bolster existing efforts but anticipates that a standalone hate crime bill might not be implemented before the 2027 election. As the dust settles after the recent violence, those who have been targeted with racist attacks remain resilient, vowing to stand firm and face the challenges ahead.
[1] Enrichment Data:
- Trigger Event: The immediate trigger was the charged sexual assault case involving two Romanian teenagers in Ballymena, County Antrim.
- Legacy of Conflict and Segregation: The conflict in Northern Ireland has resulted in a divided society with significant religious segregation in housing and education. Some paramilitary groups continue to exert power and violence, including in racially-motivated attacks.
- Economic and Social Pressures: Economic difficultiesCombined with increased migration, have created social tensions and competition for resources. Some locals blame these frictions on migrants, primarily a "select few," although many continue to welcome and appreciate cultural diversity.
- Impact: Riots and violence spread across Northern Ireland, causing widespread property damage and leaving migrant communities fearful and vulnerable. The violence has underscored a deepening social divide, with racially-motivated hate crimes surpassing those of a sectarian nature in recorded statistics.
The general-news about the surge in racist violence in Belfast, following a court case involving Romanian teenagers, has sparked concerns that the legacy of Northern Ireland's conflict and lingering paramilitary influence might be perpetuating crime-and-justice issues. Raided al-Wazzan, an immigrant and vice-chair of the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Equality, shares his fear of venturing alone in certain areas due to the increased hostility. This type of racism, reminiscent of past sectarian violence, signals a shift in social tensions towards a more divisive society, as the number of recorded hate crimes related to race eclipsed those of a sectarian nature almost a decade ago.
