16 February 2026
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has condemned racist graffiti in her constituency.
The graffiti appeared on the Bass Buildings in the Alfred Street area. A representative from the Belfast Asian Women’s Academy said it contained a death threat.
South Belfast and Mid Down MP Claire Hanna said:
“This was a disgraceful incident that caused genuine fear for people living in this area. Nobody should feel unsafe in their own home. The people targeted by this death threat and hateful graffiti have as much right to be here as anyone else and they are an important and valued part of our community.
“I am deeply concerned that this is not an isolated incident. This isn’t an immigration problem, it’s a racism and hate problem and this has been on the rise. We have reached the point where people who have lived in this city for decades no longer feel comfortable speaking their native language in public. That should concern us all and it must be unequivocally condemned. Thoughts and prayers are no longer enough, we need a society-wide response to tackle these issues.
“South Belfast is proudly the most diverse area in Northern Ireland and we are all the better for it. Those responsible for this graffiti are a tiny minority and they do not reflect the values of our community. We must send a clear message of solidarity to everyone affected and make it clear that this is their home and nothing is going to change that.”