UN urges UK to take measures against racist hate speech
In a report published last Friday, the UN called on the UK to take action against racist hate speech, which is widespread online and in mainstream media, and also spread by public figures and politicians. Following recent racist acts and violence by “far-right and white supremacist” groups in England and Northern Ireland, the UN is worried the situation could worsen. The United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) also advised the UK to consider taking actions against racial profiling by police and discrimination in areas such as criminal justice, housing, schools, policing and healthcare. CERD also noted an increase in recurring racist and violent acts against minorities, refugees, and asylum seekers.
Despite certain legislative measures taken by the UK in past years, the UN is still concerned about the level of xenophobic hate speech and hate crimes targeting ethnic minorities, including but not limited to Gypsies, Roma, Travellers, people of African, Asian or Arab descent, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. The Committee also advised the UK to encourage reporting to police, prosecute perpetrators, and to address hate speech on social media.
The Committee also urged that an independent body look into the increased number of incidents of racial profiling by police that discriminate against “people of African and Asian descent, and especially young men and children”. The Committee also noted that in schools, many students from “Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and pupils of African descent” are exposed to bullying and prejudice.
The full article can be found of the website of the BBC.
