U.N. Urges Britain to Combat Rising Hate Speech and Xenophobia

A U.N. committee has called on Britain to pass measures to curb hate speech and xenophobic rhetoric, citing their role in inciting summer riots. The committee expressed concerns over the rise in hate crimes and highlighted the issue of institutional racism in Britain's policing and justice system.

A U.N. committee has urged Britain to implement measures to curb hate speech and xenophobic rhetoric, which, it states, played a direct role in sparking summer riots.

The unrest, driven by far-right groups, erupted during anti-immigration protests following false information circulating online that an Islamist migrant was involved in a deadly attack on young girls. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination expressed concern over the increase in hate crimes and xenophobic incidents, as noted in a press release after reviewing Britain's record.

The committee highlighted the role of racist and xenophobic speech by politicians and public figures in print, broadcast, and online media. While the committee did not name individuals, member Gün Kut stressed the direct link between such speeches and racial violence. Additionally, the committee pointed out concerns regarding institutional racism in Britain's policing and justice system and called for a mechanism to investigate complaints.

(With inputs from agencies.)