Stormont must deliver on racial equality legislation
Law Centre NI responds to TEO consultation on draft Framework on Race Relations
Introduction
Law Centre NI has set out a critical response to the draft Framework for Race Relations and Delivery Plan 2026–28. Whilst we acknowledge that there are some positive features within the Framework, this policy raises a number of grave concerns and omissions. If these issues remain unaddressed, the effectiveness of Northern Ireland’s approach to racial equality will be seriously undermined.
See below for Law Centre NI’s critique and recommendations to TEO for strengthening racial equality in Northern Ireland.
A Shift from “Racial Equality” to “Race Relations”
The Framework departs from the established concept of racial equality, replacing it with a regressive and discredited term race relations
The term racial equality has clear legal meaning in international and domestic law and places enforceable obligations on States, government departments, public bodies and employers. In contrast, race relations risks reframing systemic inequality as mere interpersonal tension, ignores the structural causes of racism and dilutes the prospects of progress or accountability.
The Independent Reviewer of the previous Racial Equality Strategy 2015–25 called for closer alignment with international human rights standards. In that context, this new framing could mark a regression rather than an advancement.
Need for underpinning legislation
No Stormont government has ever passed race equality legislation of its own volition. While the Race Relations Act was passed in Great Britain in 1976, law was not adopted in Northern Ireland until 1997 and only then under a period of direct rule. Any subsequent updates were necessitated by EU law requirements. Legislative reform is an absolute priority: it forms the bedrock on which the work of this Framework can be taken forward.
Law Centre NI believes in the power of law for social change. Legislative reform is an absolute priority. While legislation alone does not stop manifestations of prejudice, racism and hate, it is difficult to see how policy ambitions can be achieved unless underpinned by legislation that provides comprehensive protection against all forms of racial discrimination. Likewise, hate crime legislation must be progressed and implemented. This is all the more urgent given that racially motivated crime in Northern Ireland is at an all-time high.
Lack of concrete action plan and deliverables.
The NI Civil Service has issued clear guidance on the components of good policy. Effective public policy requires clarity, measurable actions, defined timelines, indicators of success, and accountability mechanisms. These components should be immediately and patently clear: but in the Framework they are somewhat ambiguous.
The Independent Review of the previous strategy (2015-25) found that the absence of a clear action plan undermined that strategy’s effectiveness. This mistake should not be repeated.
Drivers of racism; Immigration Policy
The Framework is silent with regards immigration. This is despite immigration policies and race equality being deeply interconnected. We would expect the Framework to seek to counter the racial injustice caused by the UK’s Hostile Environment policies and to grapple with the overlap between racist violence and the link with paramilitarism. Failure to acknowledge these issues weakens the Framework’s credibility and limits its ability to address real-world drivers of racial inequality.
Conclusion
The Framework falls short and must be strengthened. We urge TEO policy makers to listen carefully to civil society organisations and to be courageous in committing to the necessary actions to bring about racial equality. Law Centre NI is willing to contribute to this process.
Read our full submission here
You can also watch our Head of Migration Justice, Liz Griffith, provide evidence to the Committee here (1:32:10 to 2:36:24) as well as participating in discussions with Radio Ulster and ITV ( from 42:15) to share her perspectives.