JRS Director urges government to protect ethnic minorities after wave of violent attacks

Sarah Teather

Source: Jesuit Refugee Service UK

Sarah Teather, Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service UK (JRS UK) has issued the following statement today, in response to a wave of violent civil disorder in several towns and cities across the UK over the last few days, attacking people from ethnic minorities and refugees, places of worship, businesses and community facilities. Protests organised by the far-right started after the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport last Monday by a British teenager.

Ms Teather said: "Communities across the UK are reeling today from criminal violence that has threatened people's lives, injured emergency service workers, and destroyed public facilities.

People of colour, members of the Muslim community, and people seeking sanctuary have been deliberately targeted. Many of the refugees we serve and others in our communities are living with deep fear and insecurity following these attacks.

It is imperative that the government takes urgent steps to ensure the safety of all those being targeted, including people in the asylum system, who in many cases have already fled violence and experienced profound trauma.

At the same time, every one of us has a responsibility to challenge the disinformation and racist, divisive rhetoric fuelling this hostility. Too often, people fleeing danger and searching for a chance to rebuild their lives here have been dehumanised by politicians and others in a position of influence. But scenes of people coming together in the hours following rioting, to care for those affected and repair the physical damage, show the kind of society that we can and truly want to be."

See also: Statement from Archbishop of Liverpool after Southport attack - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50316
and Pax Christi statement on fatal stabbings in Southport - www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50314

Further Links

Jesuit Refugee Services: www.jrsuk.net
X: @JRSUK
Facebook: https://facebook.com/jesuitrefugeeserviceuk