1. ENAR Ireland – Putting Racism on the Record ILGA Europe Workshop 2 – The experience of building confidence with the police to tackle racism and xenophobia 9 December 2011 Catherine Lynch

3. About ENAR Ireland We are a national network of organisations working collectively to highlight and address racism at all levels. Our mission is to lead a strong anti-racism movement. We are the National Coordination for the European Network Against Racism, a network of 700 NGOs across the European Union.

4. Outline About the organisation Context –  Racism in the EU (inc. violence and crime)  Racism in Ireland today  Legislation Responses – NGO and Police  The role of partnership/external actors Focus: Reporting racist incidents  Overview of ENAR Ireland’s Framework for monitoring racist incidents  NGOs as Equal Partners  Multi-agency approaches Reflection: Institutions and the law

5. Snapshot comparison IssueEUROI Economic CrisisRisk factor for increase in racism Impacts disproportionately Racism in the political arena Rise of far right. Racist discourse from mainstream Fallen off the political agenda Invisibility Racist violence and crime On the increaseDenial Limited capacity to respond Implementation of legislation including EU ‘Race’ Directive Some improvement and evidence of impact Previously ‘Champion’ – but capacity cut. Delays Multiple Discrimination/ Intersectionality Evidence but limited capacity to respond Evidence, some acknowledgement but struggling to respond Roma and TravellersTargetTarget. Denial of Traveller ethnicity

6. Initiatives of the police (An Garda Siochana) Establishment of a Garda Racial and Intercultural Office (now Garda Racial, Intercultural and Diversity Office) – GRIDO Garda Diversity Plan Identification of Ethnic Liaison Officers Training PULSE system – some capacity to record racist incidents Local Initiatives (e.g. Nasc system, Get Wise) Joint Policing Committees Engagement with NGOs inc.ENAR Irl - wip

7. One Response: Monitor racist incidents WHAT IS A RACIST INCIDENT? WHY “data, data, data”? “We cannot manage it if we cannot measure it.” “We count what we value...” Framework: name, act, change. Building confidence (Of ethnic minorities? Of witnesses? Of Police? In the system?)

8. Why report and record racist incidents? Evidence base for policy and practice responses – giving direction. Provides information not only on extent of racism but problem areas (including hotspots). Ensure redress for people experiencing racism and offer support. Many manifestations are against the law. Racist incidents instil fear in the community and threatens community cohesion. An incident against one person can impact on the whole community. Racism undermines the principles of our democracy; it cannot be tolerated. Persistent Denial and ‘invisibility’ of issues.

9. Principles – ENAR Ireland Framework Address barriers – access, trust, confidence, action Standards and “standardised” Broad stakeholder buy-in The system is built on the principles of: Anti-racism and protection Independence Access Sustainability Trust Collective and holistic Individual/institutional forms.

10. Layers - Recording and evidence base Referral–Relationship with Police NB Action and Support Follow up Review and analysis Data collection must have a purpose!

11. Reflection - Practitioner experience shows - A number of aspects of “victim support” are essential – Those who receive reports need to be knowledgeable Victims’ complaints need to be listened to sensitively ‘Victims’ will expect something to be done (although for some this is just that a report be taken) Sometimes people just want to talk. (See Iganski/ENAR 2011)

12. Engagement with police on reporting Involvement with Gardai in consultation process Communication with Garda Ombudsman Presentations at Joint Policing Committees Participation at National Consultation Forum (An GS) Meetings with Asst. Commissioner (ENAR Ireland, Dublin City Council, HQ) Proposal for co-operation – work in progress

13. Reflection: Role of different stakeholders Focus: NGOs What is the role of NGOs and what supports do we need to play this role? 1. Leaders and drivers? 2. Gap Fillers? Do it when no one else is and move into the background when official body involved? 3. A essential actor and equal partner in a holistic approach to monitoring racism and xenophobia?

14. StrengthsChallengesResponse Reporting – general EvidenceUnder-reportingNGOs/3rd parties EmpoweringThe C’sClarity Action can be takenBeyond logging?Will and authority Reporting - ENAR Irl IndependentCoordinationCommunication, IT CollectiveAuthority/powerBuy-in from start Holistic‘Credibility’Research/training Mandate, buy-inResourcingExisting infrastructure + SustainableKeep focus/managing expectations Promotion and communication Local strategy Addresses key barriers Power to go beyond logging Message / multi agency working

15. All it takes for evil to flourish is for good people to stand by and do nothing. »Edmund Burke

16. Report online – www.enarireland.org Thank you for your attention!

17. ENAR Ireland 01-8897110 55 Parnell Square West Dublin 1 EnarIreland@gmail.com www.enarireland.org www.enar-eu.org EnarIreland@gmail.com www.enarireland.org