Law flaw?
The other subject that has been raised by some is whether the law in itself is not designed to help those who are victims of racial discrimination.
Mr. Shire This says that the conditions that the law has to become more sensitive to the needs of ethnic minorities. “The problem with the criminal justice system,” he adds, “is that although there are laws to protect people, often what the laws do is to add more bureaucracy so that people who need genuine support are not helped.”
Inderpal from the Black Development Agency agrees by saying: ““Essentially my understanding is that the law is quite significantly flawed.”
However, Terry Falcao explains the law saying that it’s not the law that is mainly flawed but it’s the nature of the race related cases that make it difficult to bring about justice. He says that it is important to approach the right people for help when trying to get evidence together. “Once there is enough evidence, the law does look at the case objectively and imparts a fair sentence according to the nature of the race-offence.”
Sonia Francis-Mills is the director of the Devon Race Equality Council. Listen to her views on the racism law in UK.