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?
One million foodbank visits, but not one story in the Tory press
Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
40 Responses to “UN human rights chief likens Katie Hopkins ‘cockroaches’ piece to Nazi hate speech”
Mary Ann
You are not allowed a political opinion unless it’s right wing, it’s called freedom of speech.
Mary Ann
She said it to attract attention to herself, she wants to be paid to be on television so she preaches hate, it’s a bit like migrants on trains.
Mary Ann
So you don’t have a problem with Jimmy Savile, Rolf Harris………..
RNRDOCTOR
Are you retarded or do you just not know who you are replying to? Dumb piece of shit!
All you little neo-nazi bitches get real brave hiding behind a keyboard in your momma’s basement!
The truth is you’re just a scared little baby, throwing his toys out of the pram!
You have no clue, and you are constantly switching sides, and trying to argue with people whilst repeating what they have just said!
You either support free speech or you don’t, you can’t can’t argue with both sides of the coin! Dickshit!
Gerschwin
Aaah, bless, he’s had a tantrum.