Loyalists aim to 'tackle racism'

Loyalists in Northern Ireland have begun a campaign against racism.

Leaflets printed by the Loyalist Commission, an umbrella group that includes members of paramilitary groupings, say Loyalist or Racist - You Can't Be Both.

Loyalist paramilitaries were linked to a number of racially-motivated attacks last year.

The commission said it was taking responsibility for trying to tackle the problem in loyalist areas.

Jamal Iweida from the Belfast Islamic Centre said he hoped to see action.

'Changing minds'

"I thinks it's a step in the right direction because no group or community can feel immune from being racist towards others," he said.

Reverend David Porter, a member of the commission, said community workers in loyalist areas were working on the ground to tackle the problem, which, he said, was a problem across society in Northern Ireland.

"It is beginning now with this awareness campaign, of getting across to a community that part of their identity is this willingness to embrace the other, and that they shouldn't define themselves just in antagonism," he said.

"That has to be the starting point, changing minds. That will lead to a change in behaviour."