From an allegation of the murder of a 17-year-old British, protests that started in the United Kingdom turned into a crackdown on asylum seekers and refugees. This recent uprising, unbeknownst to the British government would turn far right, away from what a typical protest ought to look like – the demand for justice.
Global reports highlight this incident as the worst public disorder the UK has had to deal with in over a decade. The police have been injured by protesters, hotels and other public properties have been vandalised by Britons. The UK protest is a significant event that has proven to be a result of the efficacy of misinformation. The United States, for instance, has received its fair share of conspiracy theories, deep fakes and fake news heightening political tensions. A number of African countries have experienced misinformation and disinformation that has propagated political agendas and/or ideologies. This time, the UK is caught in the web of misinformation.
A 17-year-old suspect, identified as Axel Rudakubana, born in Cardiff, is believed to have stabbed three young girls to death, during a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga workshop. This happened in a community centre in Southport, England. Thereafter, false information circulated on social media that the suspect was a Muslim immigrant.
Hence, similar to other unpleasant events, it rekindled the deep-seated anger against black muslim immigrants. It further showcased the loopholes inherent in the fight to uplift human rights in the UK.
Violation of human rights
Riots spread across cities in the UK – Belfast, Rotherham, Southport, Tamworth, Manchester, and Liverpool, among others. Being too far right as described by the British new Prime Minister, the protests took a toll on human rights.
Asylum seekers, migrants and Muslim minorities became the targets. Their hotels were burnt down by the protesters who exhibited deep anger against their presence in the UK.
According to Amnesty International ‘People have a right to protest peacefully, and states have a duty to respect, facilitate and protect this right. This means they shouldn’t interfere with protests unless there is a legitimate threat to the safety and rights of others.’
In the case of the UK, the police had to interfere when the demonstrators started targeting migrants and asylum seekers in their shelters – hotels. I believe this was accurately done to protect the rights of the migrants. But, it was quite late as tensions escalated.
Although “Protest is an invaluable way to speak truth to power” as described by Amnesty International, the UK protests went overboard. Al Jazeera reports that “those rioting were vocal about their hatred of immigrants”.
A ripple effect?
Could these protests be a ripple effect in the UK? Well, the protests did not only involve the Muslim minorities, asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. There were incidents where police officers were injured, regardless of their endorsement to protect the lives and properties of the Britons. More so, properties were vandalised by the demonstrators.
Most recently, peaceful protests have often turned violent. In Kenya, demonstrations started on the 18th of June 2024. Theirs was caused by controversial tax hikes. They later turned violent, claiming the lives of people. In his remarks, the President of Kenya, William Ruto, had to stop the passing of the Financial Bill 2024, as a major response to protest demands.
Also, the Nigerian planned protests that started on August 1st 2024, had a similar trend as that of Kenya. Lives were also lost. Private and public properties were looted and vandalised. The #endhunger and #endbadgovernance protests forced President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to give a nationwide broadcast.
Moreover, the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Israel are believed to have fuelled the protests in the UK. The nature of the protests being widespread in major cities like Manchester and Liverpool presents an alarming situation.
Misinformation has played a key role in the UK protests. But it also shows the replication of the trends from Kenya and Nigeria. Looting and vandalism were widespread.
A challenge for the new British Prime Minister
For the new UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, the demonstrations are unprecedented. It is a sad welcome into the office. Because of worsening tensions, he had to make a public address where he condemned the violence. This is just so to reassure the migrants whose rights were violated.
Starmer admitted that the protests were “far-right thuggery”. He also assured the Britons that the culprits would be brought to justice as such acts would not be condoned. With his statements, he must ensure that offenders during the riots are prosecuted according to their crimes.
On one hand, he will have to live with the reality of the far-right demands. On the other hand, he will have to be a unifier that will not only serve the interests of the far right but also protect the rights of minorities – migrants, asylum seekers, Muslims, etc. These realities have been established by Nigel Farage, the anti-immigration leader of the populist movement Reform UK, Neil Basu, the UK’s former head of counter-terrorism policing and the UK Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson among other experts.
This riot is just one out of the many challenges that Starmer will face in the office. Notably, his plate is already full of stagnant economic growth and wages, high child poverty and homelessness, and crumbling health care and public services. More so, he must also not underestimate the potency of misinformation.
A cause for Rethink for migrants
Despite the dwindling economies of nations, the riots in Britain present a cause for migrants to have second thoughts. There are uncertainties in the presumed greener pastures that the migrants yearn for. Labour migration, for instance, exerts a huge pressure even in advanced societies.
Unlike legitimate citizens, asylum seekers and migrants have some limitations in their new countries. These limitations prohibit them from propagating certain rights. Such situations are not exclusive to the UK but also obtainable in other countries around the world.
There must be concerted efforts from developing countries to fight against internal wars and climate-induced disasters that force communities out of their homes. The efficacy of economic plans and their sustainability can solve the numerous challenges causing migration.
Writer: Nusaiba Ibrahim Editors: Amaka Obioji, Chimee Adioha Featured image: Olakunle Aro