Hate crimes, involving serious assaults of a racist and homophobic nature, have been on the increase in Northern Ireland during the past number of years, as the level of sectarian violence has declined. Figures produced by the Police Service of Northern Ireland show that these crimes are now running at the rate of five a week in Belfast alone.
And, in an attempt to mobilise public opinion against destructive, anti-social behaviour, the Anti-Racism Network has organised a protest march for tomorrow in Belfast.
Such crimes are not confined to a single community, even if south Belfast has a particularly bad record, with Muslim and Asian families being forced to flee their homes. The involvement of loyalist paramilitary units in such vicious activity is well established. Portuguese and Lithuanian meat packers have been targeted in largely Catholic Dungannon. Intimidation and serious assaults have taken place in Craigavon and in north Antrim. All areas of Belfast have experienced racist and homophobic crimes to varying degrees.
There is some evidence that British-based fascist organisations have sought to promote such activity. But research has shown they are pushing an open door. There is now a higher incidence of racist attacks in Northern Ireland than in Britain and people living there are more likely to be racist than sectarian.
In all of this, there are reasons for people in this State to feel concern. We have our own problems with a growing incidence of hate crimes. And, as the number of foreign workers in our economy increases, we can expect the pressures and tensions that have emerged in Belfast to be replicated here. These developments require politicians, clergymen and community leaders to give a determined lead in welcoming cultural diversity and in confronting xenophobia.
Ten years of relative peace in Northern Ireland has made sectarian violence politically unacceptable. But inner-city poverty and deprivation have not gone away. Growing ethnic communities are bearing the brunt of young men's disaffection and of paramilitary "policing". In the same way, the incidence of domestic violence has risen sharply. These interlinked problems need to be recognised and addressed in a comprehensive way. Church leaders and influential organisations like the Orange Order can play their part.
The Northern Ireland Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy, will meet loyalist representatives next week, including members of the UVF and the outlawed UDA, in an attempt to advance the peace process and to bring an end to paramilitary actions and criminality.
And while the main focus will be on re-establishing devolved government and persuading loyalists to embrace democratic structures under the Belfast Agreement, the opportunity to confront racist and homophobic issues should not be missed. Peace and stability in Northern Ireland require a respect for all communities.