Lack of recognition 'demeans' Travellers

Travellers have claimed that the Government's refusal to acknowledge them as a minority ethnic group is fuelling racism and discrimination.

Pavee Point, an organisation which supports human rights for Travellers, made the comments in a report to the UN Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The group said the Government's position was "demeaning and offensive" as it suggested Travellers did not experience racial discrimination, and betrayed an "assimilationist" mindset at State level.

"The failure to recognise Travellers' ethnicity in the provision of services has been a major factor in determining that Travellers have received weaker and sometimes discriminatory service provision in the past," the group's submission said.

In the Government's submission to the UN last year, it said defining Travellers as a minority ethnic group would not entitle Travellers to any additional rights and protections. It added that under equality legislation Travellers were specifically afforded protection against discrimination.