The racist violence across the UK is not an anomaly – and UK politicians need to stop pretending otherwise
Brussels, Belgium, 7 August 2024 – The European Network Against Racism (ENAR) vehemently condemns the reprehensible attacks targeting racialised communities, in particular Muslim communities, asylum seekers, as well as lawyers and organisations supporting migrants across the UK.
The recent surge in racist violence across the UK is not an isolated incident; it is a direct result of the years of mainstreaming of anti-immigrant, Islamophobic, and racist narratives. “The racist violence in the UK is not surprising; it was an inevitable consequence,” points out Emmanuel Achiri, ENAR Policy and Advocacy Advisor on Migration, Security, and Policing. “Politicians must stop feigning shock and confront the reality of their own complicity.”
ENAR has long been sounding alarms about Europe’s historical failure to dismantle white supremacist ideologies. As these ideas are rebranded as “European values” and disguised within discussions about migration, politicians across the spectrum bear responsibility for normalising the harmful rhetoric that devalues non-white lives and emboldens extremist violence.
ENAR calls on the UK political leadership to name this racist violence for what it is and to boldly take action to address its root causes.
We urge Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the newly elected Labour government to reevaluate its current response which fails to fully acknowledge the racist, Islamophobic, and anti-migrant hate driving these attacks. We stand by Runnymede Trust and our other UK members in stressing that any approach that refuses to foster a zero-tolerance policy on anti-immigrant, Islamophobic, and racist narratives will fail to protect racialised and migrant communities. In this critical political climate, we invite the political leadership to work closely with ENAR members and other anti-racist organisations to shape effective strategies.
“This appalling violence mirrors past injustices, instilling fear in our communities. A genuine response will require a radical overhaul of our political culture, language, and policies that have emboldened such heinous acts,” underlines Zlakha Ahmed, ENAR Board Vice-Chair and the founder of Apna Haq, an ENAR member organisation that supports racialised women in Rotherham, UK.
As reports of more planned attacks emerge, the UK government must also ensure its next steps do not further harm the affected communities. With more law enforcement mobilised across the country, the current events should not be used as a pretext for increased police surveillance that puts racialised communities at more risk.
At the same time, social media platforms must take responsibility for amplifying and escalating xenophobic and racist discourse. Their profit-driven algorithms that fuel division and hate must be fundamentally overhauled.
Beyond the UK, we appeal to the EU leaders to recognise that the violent scenes have been paved by years of dehumanising migrants and racialised people through dangerous political rhetoric and policy – the very same direction they have chosen in the recent Pact on Migration and Asylum. We urge them to look in the mirror and challenge the conditions that fuel racist violence. Before the cost of their complicity is once again paid in racialised lives and the safety of our communities.
For more information, reach out to communications@enar-eu.org.
