Society must “think very carefully” about the reality of racism in Ireland now that the Government has dropped its plans to introduce hate speech legislation.
It emerged over the weekend that Justice Minister Helen McEntee has decided to remove the hate speech elements from the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill.
The Government is still moving ahead with other parts of the bill that deal with hate crime and the existing laws around the prohibition of incitement to hatred will remain in place.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, UCC Lecturer in Contemporary Islam Dr Amanullah De Sondy gave his reaction to the move.
“I think we must think carefully about the reality in which we find ourselves,” he said.
“When our elite Irish athletes are telling us that they're receiving hate and racism, we need to believe them.
“When Garda figures are telling us that anti-migrant, anti-nationality and racist sentiments have for the first time become the most prevalent motive for hate crimes, we need to believe them.
“And just last night, when the brother of the Taoiseach puts out on social media that he's seen Islamophobia with his own two eyes and is calling it out, we have a problem.
“When we’re also hearing news and surveys saying that racism is on the rise in Europe and that it is pervasive and relentless, we have a problem.”
Just left The Gresham @RiuHoteles. Management asked a group of ppl wearing hijabs to leave as it was an area for residents but didn’t ask us or the table next to us. I queried and was told it was sometimes obvious by “appearance” or “aspect” but wasn’t “racism”. Complaint sent
— Adam Harris (@AdamPHarris) September 22, 2024
Speaking over the weekend, Minister McEntee said she was dropping the hate speech laws because they did not have consensus within Government.
She said she was adamant the rest of the hate crime legislation would still be enacted.
Dr De Sondy said he received a racist death threat in 2019 and his life in Ireland “has never been the same”.
“I received a handwritten note saying that I shouldn't be here and I should leave,” he said. “That affected me mentally and physically.
“I think what we need to do is we need to think about the effect that hate has on individuals who walk amongst us.”
Minister McEntee has said the hate speech elements of the new bill will now be “dealt with at a later stage”.
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