NCB NI condemns racist attacks

Thursday 18 June 2009

NCB Northern Ireland (NCB NI) condemns the racist attacks that have taken place in Belfast this week on members of the Romanian community.  The victims of the attacks - numbering over 100, including children and a newborn baby - sought shelter in a church hall and the Ozone sports arena in Belfast after being forced from their homes by the violent attacks.

The attacks demonstrate that a significant level of racism is prevalent in Northern Ireland, supporting forthcoming findings from NCB NI research on young people's attitudes to non-indigenous communities. While NCB NI welcomes swift response of the Belfast Health Trust, the City Council, the PSNI and the Churches, it is deeply concerned that further attacks took place last night, displacing further members of the Romanian community.

Celine McStravick, Director of NCB NI, said, "It is critical that this treatment of vulnerable members of our society is seen as a symptom of underlying ignorance and mistrust. We must continue to invest in our children and young people, building understanding of the strengths of diversity."

Celine further added, "Our children and young people need positive role models in society, people who talk about reality rather than old-fashioned rhetoric. I welcome the positive contribution that our politicians have made to the debate this week and we need to build on this ethos of good will and establish sustainable cross-departmental links that can respond to this issue in the long-term".

ENDS

Notes to editors

NCB's mission is to advance the well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. As a membership and infrastructure support agency for the children's sector in England and Northern Ireland, NCB provides essential information on policy, research and best practice for our members and the members of our wide range of partnership bodies, which operate under our charitable status and are based in our London headquarters.

NCB Northern Ireland, based in Belfast, works with families, children and young people to advance NCB's mission across Northern Ireland, and coordinates and supports Young NCB Northern Ireland.