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SCMP Editorial

The violent anti-immigrant riots in the UK have stoked fears and caused much damage and disruption. These are disturbing developments.
There have been clashes with police, vandalism and assaults. The unrest, fuelled by far-right agitators, has prompted government pledges to bring perpetrators to justice.
Thousands of police have been mobilised, hundreds arrested and courts are working overtime.
The troubles will resonate strongly in Hong Kong, because of the city’s close ties with Britain. The context is different, but there are some striking parallels with Hong Kong’s civil unrest in 2019.

It is now Britain that is facing widespread threats to law and order and appreciating that violence cannot be tolerated, whatever the cause.
Rioters have targeted immigrants, especially Muslims. Mosques, immigration centres and hotels housing asylum seekers have been attacked.
This comes against the backdrop of growing popularity for the far right in Europe amid social and economic problems perceived to be caused by excessive immigration.
Thankfully, there is only minority support for the disturbances in the UK and communities rallied to clean up their neighbourhoods after disturbances, keen to convey the message that the rioters do not represent them.
The country was braced for another night of violence on Wednesday, with attacks on law firms advising migrants anticipated. Hong Kong’s Law Society rightly condemned threats to immigration lawyers, pointing out that this is an affront to the rule of law.

But instead, thousands of anti-racism counter protesters emerged in expected hotspots and the riots did not materialise. This is encouraging.
But there are fears violence may return at the weekend.
Immigrant communities, whether Muslim or not, should be concerned. The Chinese embassy in London has issued a safety advisory, as have Hong Kong authorities.
There is a need for those in the UK to monitor developments and exercise caution.
Social media has played a key role in both triggering and organising the disturbances. They were sparked by the proliferation of false information claiming the killer of three little girls in a knife attack last month was a newly arrived Muslim immigrant.
The dangerous role of social media platforms in spreading hatred and fuelling disorder, often through fake and misleading information, is an issue that requires attention all over the world.
Violent riots, whatever their motivation, are not the way to achieve political ends. It is to be hoped measures adopted by the British government, together with support from most people in the country, will see order restored and values of respect and tolerance prevail.


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Britain

Violent UK riots are not the way to achieve a political outcome

A car burns on Parliament Road in Middlesbrough during a demonstration tied to the popularity of Europe’s far right and social and economic problems perceived to be caused by immigration. Photo: dpa

Riot police face protesters in Bristol, southern England. The UK’s troubles resonate strongly in Hong Kong, because of the city’s close ties with Britain. Photo: AFP

People gather against an an anti-immigration protest in London on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Muslim Hongkongers’ safety fears in UK as anti-immigration riots rock England

A rioter in the English city of Bristol hurls a beer can at a police line as the country was hit by anti-immigration protests. Photo: AFP

Muslim Council of Hong Kong leader Adeel Malik, who now lives in the UK, at the Kowloon Mosque. Photo: Nora Tam

A restaurant owner and other residents of Middlesbrough clear debris following rioting and looting the day before. Photo: AFP

Anti-racism protesters sweep Britain after days of far-right riots

Anti-racism protesters in London on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

 Anti-racism protesters in Walthamstow, London, on Wednesday. Photo: PA via AP

Will Asian nations’ UK travel warnings over anti-immigrant riots deter tourists?

Riot police face protestors in Bristol. The unrest has prompted some Southeast Asian nations including Muslim-majority Malaysia and Indonesia, to issue travel advisories. Photo: AFP

Tourists take a selfie at Piccadilly Circus in London. Photo: Getty Images

Riot police face protesters in Bristol. The unrest has prompted some Southeast Asian nations, including Muslim-majority Malaysia and Indonesia, to issue travel advisories. Photo: AFP

Tourists visit Buckingham Palace in London. Photo: AP

A masked protester throws a can of beer towards riot police in Bristol. Photo: AFP

Opinion

Measures adopted by the British government, together with support from the majority of people in the country, will hopefully see order restored


Measures adopted by the British government, together with support from the majority of people in the country, will hopefully see order restored.


Protests around the world

Hong Kong protests

Social media

Hong Kong

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

Editorial

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Editorial | Violent UK riots are not the way to achieve a political outcome

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Measures adopted by the British government, together with support from the majority of people in the country, will hopefully see order restored

Editorial | Violent UK riots are not the way to achieve a political outcome

Measures adopted by the British government, together with support from the majority of people in the country, will hopefully see order restored