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UK condemns 'racist' anti-immigrant violence in Northern Ireland

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The UK government has condemned anti-immigrant violence in Northern Ireland as "racist," following two days of unrest targeting immigrant communities.
  • The violence, triggered by an alleged stabbing incident, has led to property damage, including arson, and widespread fear among immigrants.
  • Authorities are investigating online organization of the attacks, while immigrant families are fleeing their homes amid escalating tensions.

Northern Ireland's government has strongly condemned escalating anti-immigrant violence, labeling the unrest as "racist" after two consecutive days of attacks on immigrant homes and businesses. The situation has instilled widespread fear within immigrant communities across Belfast and surrounding areas.

There is no other explanation for targeting people based on their skin color.

— Hilary BennUK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn describing the anti-immigrant violence as racist.

Hilary Benn, the UK's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, described the violence as "racist," stating there is no other explanation for targeting people based on their skin color. While the intensity of the violence reportedly decreased on the second day, Benn acknowledged the situation remains serious. The unrest was ignited by an alleged stabbing incident on June 8, involving a Sudanese asylum seeker, which led to a rapid surge in anti-immigrant sentiment amplified by social media.

Protests quickly escalated into riots, with instances of arson damaging homes, vehicles, and buses, and temporary road blockades. Clashes between protesters and police occurred near a hotel housing asylum seekers. Police used water cannons and plastic bullets to disperse crowds, resulting in injuries to about ten officers and dozens of arrests.

It is clearly targeting us. I don't know where we will go, but we are planning to leave the city now.

— JosephAn Eritrean refugee expressing fear after his address was circulated online amid anti-immigrant violence.

The fear among immigrants is palpable. Masked protesters have attacked properties, and lists of addresses for multi-occupancy housing known to accommodate immigrants have circulated on social media. One Eritrean refugee told The Guardian that the address list was clearly a targeted threat, prompting him to plan his departure from the city. Unison trade union reported that at least 15 families were forced to evacuate their homes on June 9, with another 15 leaving the following day.

My wife was very scared. This is not humane.

— Kiflum Tekle KasadoAn Eritrean refugee describing his family's fear after fleeing their home due to the violence.

Immigrant business owners have responded by closing their shops, and the Belfast Islamic Centre advised its members to refrain from going out. Police are investigating the role of online platforms in organizing and inciting the violence, noting significant coordinated activity and the spread of hate speech and misinformation. The UN Human Rights Office has also expressed concern and urged swift action from British authorities.

The children are all born in Belfast and speak with a local accent, but now we are even considering returning to Syria or Egypt.

— MohamedA refugee who settled in Northern Ireland in 2015 expressing his family's distress and consideration of leaving Belfast.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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