20 Márta 2012, 10:36
The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality will mark International Day for the Elimination of Racism tomorrow when it meets with representatives from Crosscare Migrant Project; AkiDwA; Children’s Rights Alliance; Pavee Point Traveller’s Centre; Immigrant Council of Ireland; and Sport Against Racism Ireland to discuss initiatives to combat racism.
Chairman of the Committee, Deputy David Stanton said: “The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid \"pass laws\". Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the United Nations General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.
Racism is not exclusive to any one country, region or society and we have evidence of racism in this country. Racism can never be tolerated or condoned and must resisted at all turns. Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to engage with a variety of groups and organisations that provide information, support and advice to immigrants, travellers, minority groups and children to get their perspectives on issue of racism and to discuss initiatives to combat racism.”
Committee vice-chair Anne Ferris said the meeting was an opportunity to recognise and advance the roles played by various groups in combatting racism.
“We are all aware that racial discrimination is a reality. That does not mean we should accept it. The onus is on us all to work together to eradicate racism and ethnic discrimination from society. I’m delighted that the Committee is taking this opportunity to meet various groups to discuss measures to combat racism,” said Deputy Ferris.
The meeting takes place at 11:45 a.m. tomorrow Wednesday 21 March in Committee Room 2, LH 2000.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at: http://bit.ly/xMg2nJ
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand
Press Liaison Officer
Houses of the Oireachtas
Kildare House
Kildare St
Dublin 2
Tel: 01 618 4484
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Email: paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Deputies:
Dara Calleary, Michael Creed, Alan Farrell, Anne Ferris [Vice-Chairman],Tom Hayes, Seán Kenny, Finian McGrath, Jonathan O’Brien and David Stanton (Chairman)
Senators:
Ivana Bacik, Paul Bradford, Martin Conway, Rónán Mullen, Denis O’Donovan.