Al’Hussein said that he shared Cameron's concern at xenophobic and
racist threats and attacks on immigrant communities in Britain.
U.S.-UK alliance seen outweighing Brexit trade concerns
The UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights (UNHCHR) has urged Britain to prevent further incidents of
xenophobic abuse in the wake of the vote to leave the EU, and to
prosecute perpetrators.
Zeid Al’Hussein,
Head of the UNHCHR, on Tuesday in Geneva voiced deep concern over
reports of abuse targeting minority communities and foreigners in
Britain.
He warned in a statement that racism and xenophobia are completely, totally and utterly unacceptable in any circumstances.
Al’Hussein
said that he shared Cameron's concern at xenophobic and racist threats
and attacks on immigrant communities in Britain.
"The United Kingdom has by a democratic act decided to take its leave of the EU.
``This
should not be interpreted by some individuals that they have licence to
take leave of their senses and embrace a mob-like behaviour in respect
of vulnerable communities," he said.
Meanwhile, Mutuma Ruteere,
the Independent UN Investigator on Racism, Racial Discrimination and
Xenophobia, said that some of the abuse and comments reported since the
vote "certainly are xenophobic and racist".
"I
also note that the government and the Prime Minister has been very
categorical in denouncing those practices as well as what has taken
place.
``Britain had watchdog institutions that monitor racism,’’ he said.
``Britain had watchdog institutions that monitor racism,’’ he said.
Ruteere
added that the situation on ground would serve as a big test for all
the institutions that have been put in place over time.
"I'm
quite confident and hopeful that actually the institutions that exist
can address this problem and nip it in the bud before it becomes a
bigger problem."
Meanwhile, a report noted that
the British police said that offensive leaflets targeting Poles had been
distributed in a town in central England, and graffiti had been daubed
on a Polish cultural centre in London on Sunday, three days after the
vote.
It noted that the Islamic groups have reported a sharp rise in incidents against Muslims.
Polish
and Muslim leaders in Britain have expressed concern about a spate of
racially motivated hate crimes following last week's Brexit referendum,
in which immigration was a key issue.
British
Prime Minister, David Cameron, has condemned the attacks and said he had
spoken to his Polish counterpart, Beata Szydlo, to express his concern
and to reassure her that Poles in Britain would be protected.