20 February 2003

PRESS RELEASE

GREEN PARTY CALLS FOR ANTI-RACISM TRAINING FOR JUDGES

Green Party spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Ciarán Cuffe TD, said today,  “The Green Party is gravely concerned by comments made by Judge Neilan in Longford yesterday, where he stated that the acts of the two defendants could lead to shopping centres putting a ban on coloured people.”

 “This is a classic case of how people can be labeled in society by those who are supposed to promote justice and equality in our community.  Immediate action needs to taken in the form of anti-racism training and awareness raising for Judges to ensure that such comments are not aired by Judges in the future.”

The Green Party has written to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Michael McDowell, requesting that he introduce anti-racism training for Judges by incorporating it into the equality legislation as a matter of urgency, as well as setting up a complaints board whereby people can report inappropriate behaviour by Judges.  In 1998 the Working Group on Judicial Ethics and Standards asked the previous Minister to set up such a board, no action has been taken to date.

 “As far as I am aware there is no statutory obligation for Judges to be trained in this area which is a disgrace since they represent the pillars of our society,” concluded Deputy Cuffe.

ENDS/