A United Nations committee has issued a strong call for the British government to implement measures aimed at curbing hate speech and xenophobic rhetoric. The committee, which focuses on eliminating racial discrimination, believes that such rhetoric played a direct role in fueling the violent riots that erupted in Britain during the summer.
The committee’s concerns stem from the alarming increase in hate crimes, hate speech, and xenophobic incidents within the UK. Their report highlights the alarming trend of racist and xenophobic rhetoric being used by politicians and public figures in various media platforms, including print, broadcast, and online. While the committee refrained from naming specific individuals or media outlets, they emphasized the direct link between xenophobic speeches and racial violence.
Gün Kut, a member of the committee, told journalists that the use of hate speech by prominent figures in the public domain is a significant cause for concern. This concern resonates with the committee’s broader observations regarding institutional racism within the UK’s policing and justice system. To address this issue, the UN committee has urged Britain to establish a dedicated mechanism for investigating complaints related to institutional racism.
The UK government has yet to respond to the committee’s recommendations. However, the previous Conservative Party-led government had previously stated their commitment to building a fairer Britain and addressing negative disparities. They highlighted the release of the Inclusive Britain strategy in 2022 as a step towards addressing these disparities.
