It is "shameful" that a bonfire topped with effigies of migrants in a boat was allowed to go ahead, Amnesty International has said.
The comments follow the lighting of a loyalist bonfire in Co Tyrone last night, which was controversially topped with an effigy of migrants in a boat.
Amnesty International's Northern Ireland director Patrick Corrigan said: "It is shameful that the authorities allowed this despicable display of hate to go ahead."
He described it as a "shocking message" to send to local migrant families.
"It is just weeks since migrant families were forced to flee for their lives when their homes were attacked and set on fire – a chilling pattern of escalating hostility.
"The authorities must treat this as a hate crime, conduct a full investigation and ensure those responsible are held to account," he said.
Mr Corrigan added: "Racism, xenophobia, and hate have no place here – and that must be made unmistakably clear."
'Should not be set alight' - Environment Minister
Northern Ireland's Environment Minister Andrew Muir has said that a loyalist bonfire in south Belfast should not be set alight.
Fresh safety concerns have been raised over asbestos at the site of the fire which is due to be lit tonight.
Mr Muir pleaded with anyone who is set to attend the fire to "exercise caution".
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) said late last night that suspected asbestos had been found at five locations on the bonfire site and 20kg of material was removed.
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Meanwhile, the burning of a separate bonfire in Co Tyrone yesterday, which included an effigy of migrants in a boat, drew further condemnation.
Controversy has surrounded the Belfast bonfire at Meridi Street off the Donegall Road which is also close to an electricity substation which powers two hospitals.
The PSNI said yesterday that the force would not agree to a request from Belfast City Council to remove the pyre.
Later, the NIEA said an inspection had taken place at the site.
A statement said: "The Northern Ireland Environment Agency can confirm that fragments of suspected asbestos were found at five locations around the site.
"Approximately 20kgs of suspect material was identified and was immediately removed."
It added: "The risk assessment that NIEA has provided to partners has consistently indicated that there was a strong possibility that fragments of asbestos could be elsewhere on the site.
"NIEA understand the landowner is due to arrange the removal of all of the asbestos from the site next week, commencing 16 July 2025, but it is important to note that removing the asbestos will be a highly specialised, complex and delicate operation that will require the site to be fully vacated.
"Indeed, the work is of such complexity that the full removal will take a number of weeks."
Mr Muir, an Alliance Party MLA, told the BBC: "There are many ways to celebrate, but not at this site.
"Personally I respect how important the 11th and 12th is, I understand its importance, but I'd plead with people to exercise caution and not to light this bonfire if they could."
He added: "The removal of asbestos is very complex and delicate, it requires the site to be completely vacated.
"The site has not been vacated and that's one of the important issues."
The Grand Secretary of the Orange Order Rev Mervyn Gibson said people should "go and enjoy themselves" at the bonfire.
He told the BBC that a council committee vote earlier this week to remove the bonfire was a "political decision".
He said: "I believe the council voted a couple of weeks ago for the bonfire to go ahead.
"A few days before it, then Sinn Féin and Alliance and the SDLP decide to vote against it."
Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan said "serious public safety concerns" remain over the fire.
"The question remains: how can a bonfire that poses a risk to the supply of electricity to two major hospitals and is built on a site covered in asbestos be allowed to go ahead?", he said.
"Public health concerns must be paramount. What was already a high risk situation has been amplified by the recent discovery of even more toxic asbestos on site.
"There is a lack of decisive action and leadership around this issue because political unionism is failing."
Hundreds of bonfires will be lit tonight ahead of the Orange Order's 12 July parades tomorrow.
While most of the bonfires pass off without incident, several have become the focus of contention due to the placing of flags, effigies and election posters on the structures before they are ignited.
A small number of bonfires were lit last night, including a controversial pyre in Moygashel, Co Tyrone, which had been widely criticised by political representatives and church leaders after it was topped with an effigy of migrants in a boat.
In a statement released ahead of the fire being lit, the PSNI said they were investigating a hate incident in relation to the fire.
The boat on top of the bonfire contained more than a dozen life-sized mannequins wearing life jackets.
Below the boat were several placards, one saying: "Stop the boats", and another saying: "Veterans before refugees".
