UK: Statement on political commentary after the tragic murder of Henry Nowak

In response to the political commentary that has followed the tragic murder of Henry Nowak, an Amnesty International UK spokesperson said: 

"At a time when hate crimes are rising, and violence and fear are becoming a daily reality for people of colour and migrants, calls for ‘pure cold rage’ are completely reckless.

"Henry Nowak’s murder is an awful tragedy and his family have said “we do not want his death to be used to create further division, hatred or tension”. The very least politicians can do is respect that.

"Irresponsible narratives of two-tier policing seek to sow division and fly in the face of decades of evidence of institutional failure within policing and disparities faced by racialised communities.

"This includes many cases of deaths in police custody for which meaningful steps towards accountability are long overdue."