The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) published its latest report on August 23. It expresses a number of concerns and makes recommendations about human rights and racism in the north.

It also reminds the UK Government that, by ratifying the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, it has undertaken the obligation to ensure that its provisions are implemented effectively in all territories for which it is responsible. Hmm.

In the north it falls short in a number of areas.

CERD expresses concern at the failure by the Northern Ireland Executive to implement the Racial Equality Strategy 2015–2025. Declan Owens, the NI human rights officer with Rights & Security International, who attended the CERD meeting in Geneva, said: “As the committee recommended, it is imperative that the Northern Ireland Executive expedites a renewed Racial Equality Strategy. Its absence has directly contributed to the circumstances which manifested in the racist riots and attacks on ethnic minorities in early August.”

Northern Ireland nearing a point of no return – Barry White

Unionist pessimism and the dawning realisation that the union could be lost - Noel Doran

Owens met the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Racism and recommended a visit to Ireland including the north. They’ve visited the UK within the last decade but have not visited........

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