It is unlawful for a person to discriminate on racial grounds against another person. The law defines racial grounds as including race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins.
There are four main types of racial discrimination: direct, indirect, victimisation and harassment.
Direct racial discrimination occurs when you are able to show that you have been treated less favourably on racial grounds than others in similar circumstances. Racist abuse and harassment are forms of direct discrimination.
Indirect racial discrimination may fall into one of two categories depending on the racial grounds of discrimination. The first is on grounds of colour or nationality, The second is on grounds of race, ethnic or national origin.
Victimisation occurs if you are treated less favourably than others in the same circumstances because you have complained about racial discrimination, or supported someone else who has.
Harassment - A person harasses another on grounds of race or ethnic or national origins when he or she engages in unwanted conduct that has the purpose or effect of:
- violating that other persons dignity; or
- creating an intimidating or hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them.
More information is available on the Equality and Human Rights Commission Webpage (external link)
