Thousands of people attended Refugee Week events in Belfast and Derry over the weekend, coinciding with a call from Law Centre NI for Stormont to reform Northern Ireland’s racial equality legislation.

The legal charity described the gatherings as demonstrations that hate does not define the region. It said the events showed solidarity with people seeking sanctuary and highlighted widespread public support for refugees.

Law Centre NI stated that Northern Ireland’s framework for racial equality remains significantly underdeveloped and lags behind legal protections in other parts of the UK and Ireland. The organisation urged the Executive to prioritise new legal safeguards for racially minoritised people, arguing that reform is needed to improve accountability and ensure everyone can participate fully in society, regardless of race, ethnicity or nationality.

The charity, together with other groups in the anti-racism sector, is pressing for concrete action from Stormont, including stronger protections and a robust political response. It has launched a petition in support of these demands.

Refugee Week is an annual event, this year centred on the theme of courage. Law Centre NI highlighted the courage of people who have fled war and persecution and are rebuilding their lives in Northern Ireland, as well as the courage of communities that continue to offer welcome.

The weekend gatherings in the two cities drew crowds in the thousands, though precise attendance figures were not provided.