UN human rights chief 'appalled' by violence in United Kingdom


A burnt car lies at Antrim Road, in the aftermath of anti-immigrant protests following a knife attack on June 8, which left a man seriously injured and prompted police to declare a critical incident, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, June 11, 2026. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes

GENEVA, June ⁠11 (Reuters) - The United Nations human ⁠rights chief said on ‌Thursday he was appalled by violence erupting in different parts of the United ​Kingdom in recent days.

On ⁠Tuesday rioters ⁠in Northern Ireland targeted ethnic minorities ⁠and ‌foreign residents by torching homes and vehicles ⁠following a knife attack for which ​a ‌Sudanese man has been charged with ⁠attempted ​murder. On Wednesdaypolice deployed water cannon to tackle rioters for ⁠a second night.

Earlier in ​June, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned violent protests over the ⁠case of an 18-year-old who was handcuffed as he lay dying after his killer falsely ​alleged a racist ⁠attack, and said it was "unforgivable" to ​exploit it to ‌stir tensions.

(Reporting by ​Olivia Le Poidevin, Editing by Linda Pasquini, Alexandra Hudson)

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