MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The UK Equality and Human Rights Commission has expressed concern about the rise in hate crime since the Brexit vote and urged the government to address the issue in a letter published on Sunday.
"We are concerned that attacks on supporters of both sides of the Brexit debate have polarised many parts of the country. There are those who used, and continue to use, public concern about immigration policy and the economy to legitimise hate," the Equality and Human Rights Commission stated in a letter addressed to UK politicians.
Among examples of increased hate crime, the commission pointed to "the murder of Arkadiusz Jozwick, racist, anti-semitic and homophobic attacks on the streets, and reports of hijabs being pulled off."
The letter suggested that the government should "carry out a full-scale review of the operation and effectiveness of the sentencing for hate crimes in England and Wales."
Home Office figures released in October showed racist and religious abuse incidents recorded by police in England and Wales rose by 41 percent in the month following the June 23 referendum vote for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union.
