Hindus & Jews ask for probe by European Union into racist attacks in Belfast
International Desk
June 27, 2009
Hindus and Jews have asked for a thorough probe by European Union into the recent reported racist attacks on the Indian Community Centre and Romanians in Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Rajan Zed, acclaimed Hindu statesman; and Rabbi Jonathan B. Freirich, prominent Jewish leader in Nevada and California in USA; in a statement in Nevada today, said that European Union, United Kingdom Government, and Northern Ireland First Minister Rt Hon Peter Robinson should jointly create a body to rebuild confidence in minority communities in Northern Ireland who appeared to be highly perturbed by these attacks.
Racism appeared to be alive and well in Northern Ireland, Zed and Freirich said. According to reports, the Hindu priest and his family were so scared that they did not even speak publicly about the incident and were considering moving out. Few days back, many Romanians were reportedly attacked in Belfast intimidating them out of their homes, and who took shelter in a church for safety. They were reportedly so distraught and bewildered after the attacks, that some of them had already moved out while others were planning to leave.
Rajan Zed and Jonathan Freirich further said that all citizens of Northern Ireland should have the right to live life free from intimidation and fear. They urged the religious establishments and religious leaders of Northern Ireland to come out openly in support of minorities as religions tell us to help the helpless.
Bob Collins, Chief Commissioner of Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, writing about the results of Equality Awareness Survey on Commission website on June 24, said, "…negative views covering a range of other grounds including race, disability, and sexual orientation are on the rise." Collins further wrote, "A significant proportion of respondents (16%) said they had experienced some form of harassment or had been treated unfairly during the past three years because they belonged to a particular group."
This report came after a range of statements by politicians, which were termed homophobic. Chief Executive of Equality Commission, Evelyn Collins, said, "The attacks over the past few days which have forced a number of Romanian families to leave their homes in South Belfast are a grim reflection of the persistence of racial prejudice within our society. This terrible situation must be met with a clear and positive response from police, public authorities and local communities."
Rajan Zed, acclaimed Hindu statesman; and Rabbi Jonathan B. Freirich, prominent Jewish leader in Nevada and California in USA; in a statement in Nevada today, said that European Union, United Kingdom Government, and Northern Ireland First Minister Rt Hon Peter Robinson should jointly create a body to rebuild confidence in minority communities in Northern Ireland who appeared to be highly perturbed by these attacks.
Racism appeared to be alive and well in Northern Ireland, Zed and Freirich said. According to reports, the Hindu priest and his family were so scared that they did not even speak publicly about the incident and were considering moving out. Few days back, many Romanians were reportedly attacked in Belfast intimidating them out of their homes, and who took shelter in a church for safety. They were reportedly so distraught and bewildered after the attacks, that some of them had already moved out while others were planning to leave.
Rajan Zed and Jonathan Freirich further said that all citizens of Northern Ireland should have the right to live life free from intimidation and fear. They urged the religious establishments and religious leaders of Northern Ireland to come out openly in support of minorities as religions tell us to help the helpless.
Bob Collins, Chief Commissioner of Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, writing about the results of Equality Awareness Survey on Commission website on June 24, said, "…negative views covering a range of other grounds including race, disability, and sexual orientation are on the rise." Collins further wrote, "A significant proportion of respondents (16%) said they had experienced some form of harassment or had been treated unfairly during the past three years because they belonged to a particular group."
This report came after a range of statements by politicians, which were termed homophobic. Chief Executive of Equality Commission, Evelyn Collins, said, "The attacks over the past few days which have forced a number of Romanian families to leave their homes in South Belfast are a grim reflection of the persistence of racial prejudice within our society. This terrible situation must be met with a clear and positive response from police, public authorities and local communities."
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