UN Panel Urges UK to Tackle Hate Speech Amid Rising Xenophobia
A UN committee has called on Britain to address hate speech and xenophobia, linking them to recent riots. The panel expressed concerns about institutional racism and urged the establishment of a complaint investigation mechanism.
On August 23, 2024, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination issued a statement urging the United Kingdom to implement measures to address hate speech and xenophobia. This call to action comes in response to recent riots that occurred across Britain earlier in the month.
The committee, established in 1970, expressed concern over the persistence and increase of hate crimes and xenophobic incidents in the UK. They highlighted the role of inflammatory rhetoric by public figures and politicians in fueling racial tensions. Gün Kut, a member of the committee, emphasized the direct connection between xenophobic speeches and racial violence.
"There is an obvious concern about hate speech by prominent figures in the public."
The riots in question erupted during anti-immigration protests, sparked by the circulation of false information regarding a suspect in an attack on young girls. The committee noted that racist and xenophobic content in print, broadcast, and online media contributed to the unrest.
Institutional racism within the UK's policing and justice system was another area of concern raised by the UN panel. They recommended the establishment of a mechanism to investigate related complaints. This suggestion aligns with ongoing efforts to address racial disparities in the UK, such as the Race Disparity Audit launched in 2017.
The UK, a founding member of the UN since 1945, has implemented various strategies to combat racism. These include the Hate Crime Action Plan, first published in 2016, and the Inclusive Britain strategy released in 2022. However, reported hate crimes have continued to rise, with over 100,000 incidents recorded in 2018/19.
While the current UK government did not immediately respond to the committee's findings, previous administrations have expressed commitment to building "a fairer Britain" and addressing "negative disparities". The UK's multicultural society, with a population of approximately 67 million as of 2020, faces ongoing challenges in balancing its tradition of free speech with laws against inciting racial hatred.
As the UK grapples with these issues, the UN committee's recommendations serve as a reminder of the importance of addressing racial discrimination and promoting equality. The country's response to these challenges will be crucial in shaping its future as a diverse and inclusive society.
