Motion no: 17
Conference condemns the racist violence and pogroms against Black and migrant members of our communities that have occurred over the last three summers. Conference is concerned that racist, Islamophobic and anti-migrant organising has been taking place in local communities and on social media by far rights actors intent on instilling fear through disinformation and dehumanising rhetoric.
Conference notes the important work undertaken by the Equality Coalition’s subgroup on Monitoring Far Right and Racist Activity, including four published reports mapping and analysing the online activity of far right individuals and organisations and the responses of political parties and elected representatives. This work by the Rabble Cooperative has provided a vital insight into how racist violence is mobilised and what civil society and statutory authorities can do to prevent and address it.
Conference believes it is important to focus on the powerful demonstrations of practical solidarity that many trade unionists were involved in during the pogroms in June 2026. Trade unions organised with their Black and migrant members to ensure their safety, engage with their employers and meet the immediate needs their families faced. In the midst of horrific attacks, community-based women’s organisation Anaka mobilised hundreds of people, including many trade unionists, to form a network of support providing meals, shopping, transport, emergency accommodation and a physical presence alongside families being intimidated. The images of these courageous women helping people escape burning homes made more of an impact than anything the racists set out to achieve.
Conference calls on the Northern Ireland Committee to reaffirm its commitment to existing work progressing anti-racism campaigns and training across the trade union movement, lobbying for more effective law and policy to tackle racism and all forms of religious bigotry, and taking a lead in visible public demonstrations of anti-racist solidarity.
Conference further calls on the Northern Ireland Committee to support affiliates to build a programme of resistance to the far right that starts with doing the hard work of practical solidarity. This includes providing opportunities for capacity building, networking and sharing of best practice across affiliates and a visible anti-racism campaign that focuses on the positive community-building activities that the trade union movement is encouraging workers to get involved in.
Conference further calls on the Northern Ireland Committee to play an active role in challenging statutory bodies, such as the PSNI, Housing Executive and local councils, whose response to the racist pogroms has been inadequate. The Committee should also renew their efforts to promote the widespread adoption and implementation by employers of the Joint Declaration of Protection for Dignity at Work and Inclusive Working Environments.
Conference further calls on the Northern Ireland Committee to examine the recommendations in the four Rabble Cooperative reports and consider what work Congress can undertake to support the implementation of these recommendations alongside our partners in civil society.
