UN human rights chief condemns racist attacks in Britain

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Tuesday urged British authorities to put an immediate stop to xenophobic attacks targeting minority communities and foreign citizens living on British soil.

"Racism and xenophobia are completely, totally and utterly unacceptable in any circumstances," Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said in a statement.

"I urge the British authorities to act to stop these xenophobic attacks and to ensure that all those suspected of racist and anti- foreigner attacks and abuses are prosecuted," he added.

The statement comes days after the island's electorate voted for Britain to withdraw its membership from the European Union in the June 23 referendum.

The Leave camp won nearly 52 percent of the vote, while Remain accounted for a little more than 48 percent.

Britain's National Police Chief's Council indicated that there has been a 57 percent upsurge in reported hate crimes from June 23 to 26 compared to the same four-day period a month earlier.

(APD)