The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racism (CERD system) expressed concern about the ongoing hate crimes, hate speech and xenophobic incidents across various platforms, including by politicians and public figures.
It was very concerned about recurring racist acts and violence by far-right and white supremacist individuals and groups targeting ethnic and ethno-religious minorities, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
Stabbing in Southport
These include violent acts that took place in late July and early August this year, when riots broke out across the UK after a stabbing at a dance class in Southport left three young girls dead and ten others injured.
The unrest was fueled by disinformation about the suspect spread on social media.
The UN committee called on the British authorities to take action, urging them to take comprehensive measures to curb racist hate speech and xenophobic rhetoric, including from political and public figures.
Members stressed the need for thorough investigations and severe penalties for racist hate crimes, and effective remedies for victims and their families.
According to news reports, British courts have handed down hundreds of sentences to those who took part in the unrest, including those who stoked the disorder through online posts.
Police target ethnic minorities
The Committee also expressed concern about the disproportionate impact of police searches, including naked searches, on ethnic minorities, particularly children.
There have also been concerns about the use of excessive and lethal force by law enforcement, the lack of accountability and inadequate support for the families of victims, all of which disproportionately affect people of African descent and other ethnic minorities.
Attention was also paid to concerns about institutional racism within the police and criminal justice system.
Research into racial profiling
The Committee urged the UK to set up an independent complaints mechanism to investigate allegations of racial profiling, strip searches, naked searches 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 measures must be taken to eliminate racial discrimination within the police and criminal justice systems.
About the Committee
The committee published its findings on the UK after completing a four-year investigation into the country, along with seven other countries including Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Venezuela.
The 18 international experts appointed to the Committee receive their mandate from the UN Human Rights Councilwhich is located in Geneva.
They are not UN staff and are not paid for their work.
