OBJECTIVE

The objective is to ensure that racist incidents do not go undocumented. The global economic downturn has seen financial challenges in Ireland, with serious job losses being experienced nationwide. This trend has led to the Irish public venting their anger not only at the government but also at immigrants, who are blamed partly for the current situation. In addition, the competition between immigrants and locals for the other few jobs like taxi driving has created tension, with immigrant drivers subjected to extreme abuse by Irish passengers, who would not use their services even when they were first in the queue at the taxi stations.
People who have lost jobs and livelihoods have so far sought an avenue to vent their frustrations and anger, and immigrants have become the easy targets.
With the demise of the NCCRI, these incidents are likely to go unreported and undocumented. The Africa Centre has already received a number of calls reporting such incidents which has made it imperative to set up a desk to record and liaise with An Garda Siochana.
This initiative will enable all stakeholders have an idea of  the different tensions in the community as well as help the relevant authorities to take necessary measures to avert possible direct conflicts.
Most immigrants have difficulty going to the Garda station to report such incidents and this  initiative will make it easier for them to make their complaints known.
Target Group
This initiative is open to all immigrants and the Africa Centre being a walk in Centre will allow immigrants easy access to speak directly to staff and have abuses recorded.

BENEFIT

This project would benefit not only the immigrant community but Dublin City Council, An Garda Siochana and the Irish Government. Information gathered on incidents as well as statistics gathered would enable all stakeholders to have a true picture of the situation concerning xenophobia within the Dublin area and this would enable authorities make sound decisions to address the situation.