The British authorities have announced a proposed legislative crackdown on race hate crimes in Northern Ireland.
Longer prison sentences are proposed under the draft Criminal Justice (NI) order.
The new plans, outlined by Criminal Justice Minister Mr John Spellar, would require judges to take into account any racial, religious or sexual orientation factors when sentencing.
Sentencing powers where violent attacks are connected to so-called hate crimes would also increase.
Maximum jail terms for offences such as grievous bodily harm would rise from five to seven years, while the sentence for criminal damage would go up from 10 to 14 years. "The Government abhors all forms of intolerance whether based on racism, sectarianism or sexual orientation," said Mr Spellar.
"Proposals introduced in the Criminal Justice (NI) Order 2004 would see much needed changes to legislation in Northern Ireland, strengthening the law to tackle crime motivated by hatred."
The consultation paper has been published amid a major new attempt by police chiefs to end the campaign of intimidation and violence directed against vulnerable communities.
But with Asians and Africans in parts of Belfast being forced to flee their homes, representatives insisted the proposals were worthless if more tormentors are not captured.
Mr Patrick Yu, head of the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities, said: "We don't have confidence in the whole criminal justice system if no one is prosecuted. There are cases with strong evidence but the Director of Public Prosecution drops them without any reason. What we need to do is put more of these people in jail."
Attacks against ethnic minorities have risen by around 40 per cent in the last year, with many of the most serious assaults centred in a working class Protestant part of south Belfast.
Loyalist paramilitaries who control the Village district have been blamed for driving Chinese and Ugandan families from their homes. Pregnant women have watched in terror as male relatives have been battered by the gangs.
Launching his proposals, Mr Spellar said they provided the courts with more scope for punishing the offenders. "I am putting forward plans to increase maximum sentences for certain offences, giving judges greater powers in sentencing where aggravation is proven." Mr Yu said the initiative, which he welcomed, was only part of a solution. "We also need the police to secure good evidence.
"Not all police officers are sympathetic to the needs of ethnic minorities, so there needs to be more anti-racism training." - (PA)