Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip
On 15th March we observed International Day to Combat Islamophobia designated by the United Nations in 2022.
National Hate Crime Statistics for England and Wales for 2023/2024 showed a 21% increase in religious hate crime in Wales, in comparison to the previous year. This demonstrates why work to tackle faith-based hate crime is needed.
Islamophobia is harmful and promotes hatred, hostility, and fear. It can occur in through opaque and pervasive means like online and social media content.
Here in Wales, we stand in solidarity with our Muslim community Islamophobia has no place in society, and we reaffirm our commitment to challenging discrimination, hatred and intolerance in all its forms.
In November we launched the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan 2024 setting out key actions for Welsh Government and other Public Bodies to take to tackle racism in Wales. Our Plan commits us to take action to tackle Islamophobia hate crime in all its forms. Learning from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities’ experiences of racism, and race inequality, the Plan sets out what we are doing to make a real difference to the lives of people.
Our anti-hate crime communications campaign, Hate Hurts Wales, highlights the negative impact on both the victim and their own lives, as well as highlighting the importance of bystanders for securing a positive outcome. As one of the five strands of hate crime, recognised in UK law, faith-based hate crime, such as Islamophobia, is central in the campaign’s messaging.
We encourage community members to report hate crime. Incidents can be reported to the police or via the Welsh Government funded Wales Hate Support Centre, run by Victim
Support Cymru, The Centre provides free, confidential, and accessible support and advocacy to all victims of hate crime, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Support is provided over the telephone, face-to-face, or virtually. The Wales Hate Support Centre also provides a national children and young person friendly hate crime service.
Prejudice-related bullying has no place in any part of our society in Wales. We are concerned by the reports of children and young people across Wales who are experiencing Islamophobia and racist abuse in their education settings
International Day to Combat Islamophobia reminds us to unite against discrimination, foster understanding, and promote respect for Muslims, ensuring a Wales where diversity is celebrated, and hate has no place. We have more in common than that which divides us.