UN Urges UK to Tackle Racist Violence

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has expressed grave concerns over the recent spike in racist violence and hate speech in the UK, urging the government to take comprehensive measures to address these issues. Following anti-immigration riots in late July and early August, fuelled by misinformation and involving far-right groups targeting minorities and asylum seekers, CERD called for thorough investigations and strict penalties for hate crimes. The committee highlighted the role of xenophobic rhetoric by politicians and public figures in exacerbating the violence. Additionally, CERD emphasized the need to address institutional racism within the UK’s policing and justice system, including the disproportionate impact of police practices on ethnic minorities. Despite the UK government's previous steps to combat hate crimes, such as Scotland's hate crime strategy and Wales' anti-racism action plan, the UN remains concerned about ongoing issues of hate speech and the need for stronger measures to prevent and address these acts.