United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) expressed concern about hate crimes, hate speech and persistent xenophobic incidents on various platforms, including politicians and public figures.
That is special attention on the recurring acts of racism and violence by far-right and white supremacist individuals and groups targeting ethnic and religious minorities, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
Southport knife attack
This includes acts of violence that occurred in late July and early August this year when riots broke out across the UK following a knife attack at a dance class in Southport that left three girls dead and 10 others injured.
The unrest was sparked by misinformation about the suspect shared on social media.
In its call to action, the UN committee urged the UK government to take comprehensive measures to curb racist and xenophobic hate speech, including from politicians and public figures.
Members stressed the need for thorough investigations and severe penalties for racist hate crimes, as well as effective remedies for victims and their families.
According to news reports, British courts have sentenced hundreds of people involved in the riots, including those who incited riots through online posts.
Police target ethnic minorities
The Committee also expressed concern about the disproportionate impact of police stop and search activities, including full-body searches, on ethnic minorities, particularly children.
It also raises alarms about excessive and deadly use of force by law enforcement, lack of accountability and inadequate support for victims’ families, all of which disproportionately affect African Americans and other minorities.
Concerns around systemic racism in policing and the criminal justice system were also highlighted.
Investigating racism
The committee calls on the UK to establish an independent complaints mechanism to investigate allegations of racial profiling, stop and search practices, frisks and excessive use of force by police.
Furthermore, perpetrators must be prosecuted and punished, and victims and their families must have access to effective remedies.
In addition, decisive action is needed to eliminate racism in policing and the criminal justice system.
About the Commission
The committee published its findings on the UK after concluding a four-year review of the country, along with seven other countries including Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Venezuela.
18 international experts appointed to the Commission to take up the mandate from the United Nations Human Rights Councillocated in Geneva.
They are not United Nations employees and are not paid for their work.
