Madam, - Last week the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published its third report on Ireland. It is largely positive, recognising progress in a number of the fields highlighted in the last report, such as the adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights Act, the Equality Act 2004, and the launch of the National Action Plan against Racism. In recent years, Ireland has gone from being a relatively ethnically homogenous society to being a very diverse one, and it has taken remarkable steps forward in building the framework for an integrated society.
The experience of our European partners shows that not only should we recognise cultural diversity as an asset, but also begin a dialogue on what is the ideal point between the two poles of forced assimilation or segregation and alienation. The answer must be based on a common respect for justice and fairness, and an appreciation of shared values. A legal framework for hate-speech should be in place, carefully balanced with the protection of freedom of speech.
The media have an important role in promoting tolerance and combating discrimination. They can provide a platform for minority voices, enabling them to dispel myths and highlight their contribution to society, and give a voice to the silent non-racist majority. Integration is a two-way process and educating the host community is vital.
We should fight against intolerance in public discourse and avoid giving too much oxygen to the extremists on all sides.
The economic value of immigrant workers is increasingly being recognised as a key driver of European prosperity and the benefits for individual businesses of diversity in the workplace are being acknowledged. A key ingredient is meaningful engagement with trade unions and the business community, as ECRI has recently acknowledged.
European countries are now looking to Ireland to see how we address the issue of integration. There is a need to raise awareness among minority groups - awareness of existing mechanisms for seeking redress against racism and discrimination. There is also still a need for policies aimed at integrating asylum-seekers and refugees into Irish society, and measures for integrating Travellers need to be reinforced. Furthermore, the increase in demand for non-denominational or multi-faith schools should be met.
To quote Ambassador Christian Strohal, director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, a cohesive society relies more on just equal opportunities for all. It relies on social conditions that enable people from all backgrounds to be included in society and to share an identity. - Yours, etc,
Dr MAZHAR BARI, Irish Representative for ECRI, Dublin 18.