The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has expressed concern over the continued occurrence of hate crimes, hate speech and xenophobic incidents across various platforms, including by politicians and public figures.
We are particularly concerned about the repeated acts of racism and violence committed by far-right and white supremacist individuals and groups targeting ethnic and ethno-religious minorities, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
Southport knife attack
This includes violence that occurred during riots across the UK in late July and early August this year, when a knife attack at a dance school in Southport left three young girls dead and 10 others injured.
These fears were further fueled by misinformation about the suspect being shared on social media.
The UN committee called for action, urging British authorities to implement comprehensive measures to curb racist hate speech and xenophobic rhetoric, including from politicians and public figures.
Members stressed the need for thorough investigations into racist hate crimes, strict penalties, and effective remedies for victims and their families.
According to reports, British courts have handed down hundreds of sentences for those involved in the riots, including those who incited chaos through online posts.
Police target minorities
The committee also expressed concern that police stop and search practices, including body searches, disproportionately impact minority populations, particularly children.
The report also raised alarm about law enforcement’s excessive and lethal use of force, lack of accountability and lack of support for victims’ families, all of which disproportionately affect people of African descent and other minorities.
Concerns surrounding institutional racism within the police and criminal justice system were also highlighted.
Investigating racial profiling
The committee called on the UK to set up an independent complaints mechanism to investigate allegations of racial profiling, stop and search practices, strip searches and excessive use of force by police.
Moreover, perpetrators must be prosecuted and punished, and victims and their families must have access to effective remedies.
Additionally, strong action must be taken to eradicate racial discrimination within the police and criminal justice systems.
About the Committee
The committee published its findings on Britain after completing a four-year review of the country alongside seven other countries, including Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Venezuela.
The 18 international experts appointed to the committee receive their mandate from the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
They are not UN staff and therefore do not receive compensation for their work.
