Hundreds gather in Belfast for anti-racism rally

The Stormont Assembly has been challenged to not delay in strengthening laws around race hatred.

The call came as hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Belfast for an anti-racism rally on Saturday.

Representatives of groups including trade unions, Amnesty International, community organisations and political parties, Sinn Fein, Alliance, the SDLP, Green Party and People Before Profit were among those who took part.

Racist attacks hit the headlines in August following anti-immigration protests.

In September the Police Service of Northern Ireland said operational figures indicate that the number of reported race hate crimes in the last year have risen by a third when compared to the previous 12 months, an increase of more than 400 incidents.

Raied Al-Wazzan, a member of the Muslim community in Northern Ireland, said they have felt under attack since August.

He thanked those who supported victims of attacks, and said not all the cards and messages of support received could be responded to personally.

Mr Al-Wazzan said he was proud to have made Belfast his home and thanked police who have worked to protect all.

"We need new hate crime legislation. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK and Ireland that does not have hate crime legislation, we need this legislation through Stormont as soon as possible, no delay," he urged.

"To MLAs, we need you to approve this legislation as soon as possible."

He added: "I'm glad to see there is a plan to increase police officer numbers, this will definitely help to tackle hate crime, the more police we have on the ground the better, we need the Muslim community to feel safe, we need the Muslim community to go out and not be afraid anymore."

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International'sNorthern Ireland director, said his organisation is still hearing week in, week out of racist attacks on homes and abuse against people on the streets.

"I think it's important that we keep taking a stand to show our solidarity with victims of race hate crime and those who, because of their skin colour, their nationality, religion or migration status, are living in fear today in this city," he told the PA news agency.

"This is a stand to say we have your backs.

"This is a city that is meant to be for everyone and we will insist and ensure that it is a city for everyone.

"This is a very diverse face of Belfast that is taking to the streets to say this is a diverse city, this is a city for all.

"Primarily this is a message to the victims of race hate crime and those living in fear right now because of their skin colour, their nationality, their religion, to say that we as citizens of Belfast, we have your back and we will continue to support you and continue to insist on better leadership from our politicians, more effective protection from the police and to ensure that this is not a city that is safe for racists but a city that is safe for everyone else."

Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long outlined in September that she plans to bring forward race hate crime legislative provisions in this Assembly mandate.

This is set to be done through additions to the planned Sentencing Bill and the Victims Bill.

Ms Long said a standalone Hate Crime Bill could not have been realistically achieved in the time remaining in the current mandate.