The violence in Leicester is a direct assault on democratic institutions and the rule of law, a fact-finding report on the violence in 2022 in the United Kingdom finds.
The report was released by the Centre for Democracy, Pluralism, and Human Rights (CDPHR) in the House of Commons of the British Parliament, which is chaired by MP Bob Blackman.
The report, titled ‘Fact-finding Report on Leicester Violence 2022 – The Rise of Territorial Majoritarianism and Hinduphobia’, sheds light on the events that took place in Leicester, UK in August and September last year and their implications for democratic values and human rights of micro-minority communities.
“By spreading misinformation, the attackers attempted to undermine fundamental principles of democracy and pluralism, including freedom of expression,” said the report, co-authored by Rashmi Samant, the first Indian-female president of the Oxford student union, and British political analyst Chris Blackburn.
“The attack also targeted individuals based on their religious beliefs and affiliations, particularly the practitioners of Hindu Dharma, which is a clear violation of human rights,” the report stated.
CDPHR’s report provided a detailed analysis of the events that led up to the attack, including the social and political context that contributed to the violence. The report also highlights the phenomenon of transnational political externalities, the spill-over effect and the creation of ethnic enclaves within migrant communities whose origins can be traced to the East.
There is a translation of the sense of territorial majoritarianism from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Kashmir and attempts at ethnic cleansing as seen in the temporary displacement of Hindu families from their homes as a result of the violence, the report said.
The report also highlighted the misuse of law enforcement agencies by nefarious elements and the need for better coordination and communication to prevent future incidents.
CDPHR has urged all stakeholders, including the government, law enforcement agencies, civil society, and the media, to take immediate action to address the underlying issues that led to the Leicester violence. This includes addressing the rise of extremism and hate speech, protecting the rights of all individuals to live in their area of choice without fear of territorial majoritarianism, addressing biased media reporting and ensuring that law enforcement agencies have the resources and training they need to prevent and respond to such incidents.
Unrest and violence erupted between British Pakistani Muslims and British Indian Hindus in Leicester, United Kingdom, in August and September 2022, with ripple effects in other regions. The CDPHR sent a fact-finding team to ground zero and beyond to collect facts and ascertain the key circumstances and reasons behind the unrest.