The scenes and behaviour we have seen in recent days, including offensive graffiti and abuse hurled at people because they are members of ethnic minorities or because of their nationality is despicable and shameful. In response to this, the Hindu Council UK has launched the ‘Online Hate Reporting Portal’ for the Hindu Community to register all hate crimes or racial incidents.
Umesh C Sharma, Chairman of Hindu Council UK said: “Following the EU Referendum vote on 23rd June 2016, a surge in the racist incidents, hate speeches and attacks on ethnic minorities has been registered across the United Kingdom. In addition, there have been many reports of ethnic minorities being taunted with ‘go back home’ and similar sentiments. Racism has no place in Britain, we will not tolerate it and to hear of such racist abuse is concerning. Every one of us has a duty to challenge racism wherever it happens. The Hindu Council UK is working with the Home Office, Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the Metropolitan Police & other Police Forces across the UK to ensure measures are being taken to step up security and policing in all areas where such incidences are reported”.
Dipen Rajyguru, Hindu Council UK’s Director of Equality and Diversity said: “We respect the outcome of the Referendum. We also understand that people voted in this referendum for more reasons than just immigration. However, Immigration was a defining issue in the Referendum debate and will be widely recognised as the main reason the UK voted to leave the EU. Considering the increase in hate crime post referendum, we are mindful that some of our community members can be an easy target. I would urge everyone in the Hindu Community who experiences any racism or hate crime, however small, to report it to the police as soon as possible. In addition, we would encourage the Hindu Community to register all incidents on the special portal that the Hindu Council UK has created. We will use this information to regularly pass on all the concerns to the relevant UK Authorities”. The Hindu Community in the UK has always stood up to racism and championed equality, diversity and interfaith cohesion. We have a long standing record of good community relations which we need to preserve amongst all communities, and we hope that we can all work together to strongly condemn and combat racism and xenophobia in the UK”.
Online Hate Reporting Portal: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_x4-9w1ylBTLmP6rM8WfFqcTHeBk2r82RkIS1Nw_hvI/viewform
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “We have a fundamental responsibility to bring our country together. In the past few days we have seen despicable graffiti daubed on a Polish community centre, we’ve seen verbal abuse hurled against individuals because they are members of ethnic minorities. Let’s remember these people have come here and made a wonderful contribution to our country. We will not stand for hate crime or these kinds of attacks, they must be stamped out.” On Wednesday 29th June 2016, Prime Minister David Cameron announced a new action plan to monitor and tackle the growing number of hate crimes in the country. Announcing the new regulations he said: “We do monitor these attacks and the Home Secretary gets regular reports, but I can tell the House that we will be publishing a new action plan on tackling hate crimes shortly to step up our response. We want new steps to boost reporting of hate crime and supporting victims. The United Kingdom needed new guidance for prosecutors on racially aggravated crime and allocation of additional funding to community organizations to tackle hate crimes”.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton, national lead for hate crime, said: “Police forces are working closely with their communities to maintain unity and tolerance and prevent any hate crime or abuse following the EU referendum. At the national level, the vast majority of people are continuing to go about their lives in safety and security and there have been no major spikes in tensions reported. However, we are seeing an increase in reports of hate crime incidents to ‘True Vision’ the police online hate crime reporting site. This is similar to the trends following other major national or international events. In previous instances, crime levels returned to normal relatively quickly but we are monitoring the situation closely. All forms of hate crime are unacceptable in any circumstances. Hatred not only has the potential to cause serious physical and emotional harm, it damages communities and undermines the diversity and tolerance we should be instead celebrating. Police forces will respond robustly to any incidents and offenders can expect to receive enhanced sentencing. Everyone has a right to feel safe and confident about who they are. Being yourself is not a crime: hate crime is.’
The Hindu Council UK urges faith communities to come together in a spirit of unity to establish a platform of hope in the face of much division today.
The Hindu Council UK Online Hate Reporting Portal’ has been widely shared to ALL Hindu Temples & Community Halls/Centers in the UK, as well as with all on our Email Database and Social Media Platforms.
What is Hate Crime?
Hate crimes are any crimes that are targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s:
- disability
- race or ethnicity
- religion or belief
- sexual orientation
- transgender identity
This can be committed against a person or property. A victim does not have to be a member of the group at which the hostility is targeted. In fact, anyone could be a victim of a hate crime. A hate crime is any incident carried out against a person because of their sex, race, religion, disability or sexual orientation. It can include:
- Physical assault and violence, including sexual violence
- Threats and intimidation
- Verbal abuse and harassment
- Offensive mail or emails
- Graffiti
- Property damage
If you have suffered or witnessed hate crime, you can call the police on 101
- If you are reporting an emergency call 999 and ask for the police.
- Report online at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_x4-9w1ylBTLmP6rM8WfFqcTHeBk2r82RkIS1Nw_hvI/viewform
Sanjay Jagatia
Director/Secretary General
Hindu Council UK (HCUK)