Written statement (Wales) on International Day to Combat Islamophobia - Mar 13

Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip: On 15^th March, we will once again observe the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, designated by the United Nations since 2022 to recognise that many Muslims around the world face discrimination, hostility, hate speech, violence and structural racism, both online and offline. 

The International Day to Combat Islamophobia is an opportunity to reflect on what is happening here in Wales and the rest of the UK, and to restate our firm position that Islamophobia and religious hate in any guise are unacceptable and abhorrent in our society. We stand firmly in solidarity with our Muslim friends and neighbours.

 The latest National Hate Crime Statistics for England and Wales (2024/25)show a concerning 30% increase in religiously motivated hate crime in Wales compared with the previous year. This follows another stark rise in the preceding year and underlines why work to tackle faith‑based hate crime is essential.

Anti-Muslim hate, also known as Islamophobia, undermines the rights, freedoms and safety of every community. When hatred and intolerance grow unchecked, they fuel division, weaken our social fabric and put all minority groups at risk. Standing against anti-Muslim hostility is therefore about defending the values of dignity, peace and mutual respect that keep all of us safe. Hate hurts us all.

On 9 March, the UK Government announced a new non‑statutory definition of anti‑Muslim hostility as part of their wider community cohesion plan entitled “Protecting What Matters”. While this definition applies in England only, careful consideration of its implications for Wales will be required to assess whether adopting a similar approach would support efforts to tackle hate and promote cohesion. The UK Government also confirmed the appointment of a Special Representative on anti‑Muslim hostility, whose role will be to champion efforts to address hostility and hatred directed at Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim. We will engage with UK Government and the Special Representative to better understand how the voices and experiences of Muslim communities in Wales are fully reflected in this UK‑wide programme of work.

Our work in Wales to address discrimination based on race, faith or belief, is driven by the Anti‑racist Wales Action Plan, which takes a whole-system approach to tackling racism, including a dedicated chapter on hate crime and criminal justice. This work includes strengthening awareness raising on Islamophobic and antisemitic hate crime; improving data reporting and victim support; training for professionals on recognising and responding to prejudice and hostility; and ensuring that voices from affected communities shape our policy and delivery. This approach ensures that tackling all forms of faith‑based hate remains a core part of our work.

Our anti-hate crime communications campaign, Hate Hurts Wales, highlights to perpetrators, or potential perpetrators, the hugely negative impact of their actions on both the victim and their own lives. We are increasingly calling on bystanders to become ‘upstanders' by safely supporting victims. Bystanders can record incidents, call for support from the police and others nearby, and distract victims and perpetrators to prevent harmful outcomes. 

The campaign also refers victims to the Wales Hate Support Centre, run on our behalf by Victim Support Cymru. The Centre provides free, confidential support and advocacy for anyone affected by hate crime, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Support can be accessed by telephone, face‑to‑face, or online. It also offers a dedicated, child‑and young‑person‑friendly service. If you think you may have been a victim of hate crime, you can contact the Centre at any time via www.reporthate.victimsupport.org.uk, by calling 0300 3031 982, or by emailing Hate.CrimeWales@victimsupport.org.uk.

I am deeply concerned by reports of children and young people experiencing faith-related bullying in education settings, particularly since the conflict between Israel-Gaza began. Prejudice‑related bullying of any kind is unacceptable, and we expect all schools and colleges to fully investigate incidents of racism and harassment and take appropriate action to prevent them from happening again. To support this, last year we consulted on strengthening our statutory anti‑bullying guidance, Rights, respect, equality to include clearer advice on responding to racist, antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents. The revised version, scheduled for publication, was informed by the consultation feedback, and provides clearer and stronger direction for local authorities and schools in Wales. We have also provided advice to schools and written to further and higher education institutions to ensure students are supported during periods of heightened tension. 

The International Day to Combat Islamophobia falls as the month of Ramadan draws to a close, offering a fitting moment to reflect on its central values — compassion, generosity, charity, and service to others. These are values shared across all communities in Wales, regardless of faith or belief.  During Ramadan, I have been pleased to attend several community Iftar events where I, alongside leaders from our diverse faith traditions and local community members, saw first-hand how Muslims reach out with the offer of a shared meal, strengthening cohesion and understanding between communities.  These gatherings were a powerful reminder of the values that unite us — kindness, hospitality, and a commitment to looking after one another. They also highlighted the enormous contribution that Muslim communities make to the social fabric of Wales, not only during Ramadan but throughout the year.

At a time when misinformation and hostility can create division, our commitment to fostering community cohesion is a clear statement that Wales chooses compassion over fear, solidarity over exclusion, and community over division. 

On this day, and every day, we stand with Muslim communities across Wales in calling for a society shaped by understanding, compassion and mutual respect. By working together to confront hatred and support those affected by it, we can ensure that Wales remains a nation where everyone feels safe, valued and able to belong.