Racism is a normal part of daily life in Northern Ireland with women particularly exposed to it, a new report reveals today.
Research from the Equality Commission also found a widespread perception that Brexit had led to an increase in the expression of racism.
The report, ‘Impact of Brexit on minority ethnic and migrant people in Northern Ireland’, commissioned from the independent think tank Pivotal, looked at the actual, perceived, and potential socioeconomic impacts of Brexit on minority ethnic and migrant people in Northern Ireland.
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It found that life in Northern Ireland is much more difficult for many minority ethnic and migrant people following Brexit. However, in some areas, it remains difficult to identify the impact of Brexit specifically.
Geraldine McGahey, Chief Commissioner, Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, said: “It is disturbing that the most striking findings of this recent research are that people from minority ethnic and migrant groups said that racism was a normal part of their daily life in Northern Ireland and that women are particularly exposed to racism.
“It also found that there was a widespread perception that Brexit had led to an increase in the expression of racism. We know racism is not new to Northern Ireland, and its impact is devastating.
“We’ve also been meeting with people from ethnic minorities and their support organisations across Northern Ireland to hear first-hand about their experiences of living here and the issues they face because of their race.
“These have been tough sessions with some very difficult stories being shared. Let me be clear, racism is never acceptable, not now, not ever.”
The Chief Commissioner added: “Unfortunately, it’s not surprising that the research reports that participants feel that they are not a priority for the government in Northern Ireland.
“They also feel that their rights and entitlements have become more complicated since Brexit. They reported that changes to immigration status for those from EU countries have created uncertainty and difficulty.
“They raised problems with the EU Settlement Scheme process and their struggles to prove entitlement to access public services such as healthcare.
“They also raised concerns about insufficient government funding to address community need, limited government preparation for the impacts of Brexit, as well as what they see as institutional racism and racial profiling.
“The findings of this research report and our ongoing work with the sector make for uncomfortable truths. Our society appears to have developed an acceptable level of prejudice towards some ethnic minority and migrant people living here. This is unacceptable.
“It is positive that people are actively choosing to come to work and live in Northern Ireland. It is important that we make them feel that they belong here and that they are welcome, valued and respected,” Ms McGahey concluded.
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