Consultation | Review of the Race Relations Order

Have your say on the review of the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997 to help develop new legislation that is fit for purpose.

A 12-week public consultation on a review of the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997 has been launched by the Executive Office.

The current Race Relations Order was brought into force in 1997 and subsequently amended in 2003 and 2009 by amendment regulations.

What does the legislation cover?

The order outlaws discrimination on racial grounds. Racial grounds include colour, race, nationality, or ethnic or national origins.

The law covers racial discrimination in the following key areas:

• Changes affecting multiple provisions
• Education
• Employment
• Provision of goods, facilities, services, and premises
• ECNI
• Enforcement
• Others

Proposals for a new Racial Equality Bill

The review is a key action within the Executive’s Racial Equality Strategy, intended to strengthen Northern Ireland’s race legislation so that it offers at least the same level of protection, if not better, than other jurisdictions across these islands.

The Executive Office has been working and engaging with key stakeholders across a range of sectors and has developed proposals for amendments to the current order to create a brand-new draft Racial Equality Bill.

How do I respond to this consultation?

There are a number of methods to respond to this consultation.

Online

You can complete the online survey.

By email

You can email your responses to RaceRelationsOrderReview@ExecutiveOffice-ni.gov.uk. 

By post

You can write to:

The Racial Equality Legislation Team
The Executive Ofice
E3.15, Castle Buildings
Stormont Estate
Belfast
BT4 3SR

Read about the consultation on the review of the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997.

First published 30 March 2023