HC Deb 04 December 1996 vol 286 c702W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what occasions the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 has been used in response to incitement to racial hatred. [1494]

Sir John Wheeler

There is no offence of incitement to racial hatred in Northern Ireland. Article 9(1) of the Public order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987, however, statesa person who uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or displays any written material which is threatening, abusive or insulting, is guilty of an offence if—

  1. (a) he intends thereby to stir up hatred or arouse fear; or
  2. (b) having regard to all the circumstances, hatred is likely to be stirred up or fear is likely to be aroused thereby."

The term hatred is defined as hatred against a group of persons in Northern Ireland defined by reference to religious beliefs, colour, race, nationality (including citizenship) or ethnic or national origins".

Since 1993, six people have been proceeded against under this article. It is not possible to identify those which relate specifically to racial hatred.