95bFM Advocate: New Zealand can learn from British report into race equality and relations
9 September, 2024
Interview by Caeden Tipler, adapted by Vivek Panchal
Media Advisor for Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand, Frankie Barclay, says following a report into race equality and relations in the UK, New Zealand should also be mindful of the findings.
Amnesty International UK and Runnymede Trust, a charity focusing on race equality and race relations, released a report documenting the history of systemic racism and discrimination against people of colour (POC) in the UK.
This report comes after recent events of violence by far-right groups — such as those a part of the recent Southport riots, highlighting failures of previous governments in making legislative changes against systemic racism.
The Southport riots occurred following a stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the city, which resulted in the death of three young girls.
Following the murders, misinformation spread online, falsely claiming the assailant was an asylum seeker — resulting in far-right groups rioting across the country, which targeted mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers.
The prior Conservative government also passed three controversial laws in 2022, the Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts Act (2022), the Elections Act (2022), and the Nationality and Borders Act (2022), which the report says is posing a sustained threat to the civil rights of POC in the UK.
In New Zealand, Amnesty International has been calling on the government to address the civil rights breaches affecting Māori people.
Recently, the findings of the first phase of the report, Understanding Policing Delivery, were released. The report says there is “bias” and “structural racism” within New Zealand Police targeting Māori and Pacific people.
Despite the findings, Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, does not believe there is bias within the police force.
Media Advisor for Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand, Frankie Barclay, told 95bFM's The Wire both the UK and New Zealand governments need to reconsider their police response and uphold international treaty obligations, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
“The report submitted to the UK shows civil society is urging the new government to end vilifying the migrant population and asylum seekers, which is what the heart of the riotting has been, but also to see some meaningful, structural changes, which would address the root causes of the issue.”
“It's a really important opportunity when each country comes up for review [of the ICERD], to look at what progress has been made in taking steps towards eliminating racial discrimination.”
He says Aotearoa can learn a lot from the rise of the prominence of the far-right in the UK.
“I'd say these riots are a really harrowing example of what can happen when governments fail to protect the rights of people of colour and when divisive politics are left to fester.”
Since false information being spread through social media was a huge factor in the increasing violence in the UK, Barclay believes social media needs to be reviewed and monitored in Aotearoa to counter the incitement of racist rhetoric.
“Social media is a global phenomenon, so New Zealand is not immune to that same kind of influence [seen in the UK], including being influenced by people who aren't New Zealanders, but have a significant following around the world.”
“There are a number of issues that the government needs to address as part of its commitment to eliminating racial discrimination, and that does include looking at how social media can exacerbate social and political division.”
