Alliance Party Justice Spokesperson, Stephen Farry, responding to the latest attack against a member of the Chinese section of the community in Dunmurry, has renewed his party’s call for Hate Crimes laws.
Stephen Farry said:
“Such racially-motivated attacks are not only direct attacks upon the victim but also the values of a multiracial and diverse society.”
“Alliance has been campaigning for the introduction of Hate Crime Laws, similar to those employed in the United States and recently in Great Britain, through the Crime and Disorder Act. These laws provide for longer sentences for existing criminal offences against the eprson or property when a hatred bias, based on race, religion, gender or sexual orientation can be proven in court.”
“With the recent upsurge of racially-motivated attacks in Northern Ireland, such laws are necessary to send a strong message that these crimes will not be tolerated and that perpetrators will receive stiffer sentences.”
“Alliance produced a detailed paper on this matter in July, which the Government is currently considering. It is time that this process is accelerated.”
ENDS.