An undercurrent of racism in some loyalist areas has led to a string of attacks on African people, a south Belfast politician has said. Dr Alasdair McDonnell of the SDLP said many were fearful for their lives.
He said many asylum seekers had escaped persecution in their own countries, only to be attacked in Northern Ireland.
Dr James Uhomoibhi, chairman of the Northern Ireland African Cultural Centre, said they were just trying to make a life for themselves.
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster on Friday, he said: "Some are refugees and some are asylum seekers, but not all Africans are refugees or asylum seekers," he said.
"To be a refugee or asylum seeker is not a crime, and these people should not be treated as criminals."
Earlier this year, the Equality Commission said racist attacks in Northern Ireland were running at a higher level than in England and Wales.
Racist attacks in Northern Ireland are running at 16.4 per 1,000 of the minority ethnic population compared to 12.6 in England and Wales, said the commission.
Last year, a report said there were more than 350 racial incidents reported to the police between 1996 and 1999 - a 400% increase.
The number of racist attacks on children doubled - rising from 8.5% of total attacks in 1996 to more than 16% in 1999.
The annual total increased from 186 to 269 incidents between 1999 and 2000 - a rise of 45%.
The report was commissioned by the equality and social need division of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in 2002.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
