Newspapers urged to curb 'shameful' racism and xenophobia about migrants
An article by Katie Hopkins for the Sun newspaper that called migrants ‘cockroaches’ has been likened to Nazi hate speech by a human rights chief at the United Nations.
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the piece published on Friday, April 17, after hundreds of migrants drowned on their way to Europe, was an example of the racism and xenophobia common in the British press.
“The Nazi media described people their masters wanted to eliminate as rats and cockroaches,” he said.
“This type of language is clearly inflammatory and unacceptable, especially in a national newspaper.
“The Sun’s editors took an editorial decision to publish this article, and – if it is found in breach of the law – should be held responsible along with the author.”
Katie Hopkins’s piece argued gunboats should be used to prevent migrants sailing to Europe, adding that her sympathy lay with British truck drivers rather than the migrants who died. She wrote:
“Make no mistake, these migrants are like cockroaches. They might look a bit ‘Bob Geldof’s Ethiopia circa 1984’, but they are built to survive a nuclear bomb. They are survivors.”
The article received an avalanche of public criticism amid the ongoing debate over how to respond to migrant deaths at sea.
Mr Hussein was responding to the Society of Black Lawyers’ reporting the Sun to the Met police over alleged incitement to racial hatred.
He said: “While migration and refugee issues are completely valid topics for public debate, it is imperative that migration policy decisions that affect people’s lives and fundamental human rights should be made on the basis of fact – not fiction, exaggeration or blatant xenophobia.
“History has shown us time and again the dangers of demonizing foreigners and minorities, and it is extraordinary and deeply shameful to see these types of tactics being used in a variety of countries, simply because racism and xenophobia are so easy to arouse in order to win votes or sell newspapers.”
Adam Barnett is a staff writer at Left Foot Forward. Follow MediaWatch on Twitter
Read more: No talk of immigration? What planet is the Daily Mail living on?
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40 Responses to “UN human rights chief likens Katie Hopkins ‘cockroaches’ piece to Nazi hate speech”
Gerschwin
So in the name of free speech a UN human Rights Commissioner wants to stop free speech? Good one. That’s a solution. Don’t argue, don’t disprove it, don’t counter it…just ban it…because maybe that’s all you’ve actually got. Also lefties this chap is a member of the Jordanian Royal Family, you know one of those privileged gentlemen born with silver spoon in mouth whose opinion you normally dismiss but now suddenly it’s the most beautiful opinion in the world – you do realise in his country he’d have the editors of this shower of a website in a cell with electrodes on your proverbials…but of course you realise that, that’s why you refer to him as Mr Hussein when his title is actually Prince Hussein.
Adam Barnett – half wit.
Cole
Gee, Adam didn’t call this dude Your Highness. Off with his head.
I love it when right wingers are suddenly in favour of free speech when someone says things they agree with.
Maximilian Ellis
There’s a difference between what I consider hate speech and free speech – voicing your opinions is fine, but when they target a particular people or race, then you’ve crossed the line
David Lindsay
I agree with Rod Liddle that the imprisonment of Katie Hopkins would not save refugees from drowning. But it would be the imprisonment of Katie Hopkins. And that would be its own reward.
RNRDOCTOR
So we should bring the muslim hate-preechers back to the uk and allow them to go back to radicalising our youth?
F-ing moron!