A growing number of nations have warned their citizens against traveling to the UK, due to ongoing anti-immigrant protests following the stabbing and murder of three little girls and the attempted murder of nine other people by 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, a Rwandan descendant.
At press time, the UAE, India, Australia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Malaysia and Kenya have urged their citizens to avoid traveling to the United Kingdom due to the violent protests and riots. Hong Kong has become the latest country to join the list.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Nationals of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) must “exercise the highest level of caution and take the necessary precautions” to protect themselves, according to the UAE Embassy in the UK.
India
Visitors from India are urged to “stay vigilant and exercise due caution while traveling in the UK,” said an official at the High Commission of India, located in London.
Australia
Australians should “avoid areas where protests are occurring due to the potential for disruption and violence,” says their government. They must also stay up-to-date about the situation on the ground.
Indonesia
Indonesians must “avoid large crowds and places that have the potential to become gathering places for masses or groups of demonstrators,” according to the representative of the Indonesian government in London.
Nigeria
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned its citizens against traveling to the UK, due to the “increased risk of violence and disorder occasioned by the recent riots in the [country].”
Malaysia
Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was actually the first one to warn its citizens against traveling to the UK by issuing “an urgent notice to Malaysians” on X. Citizens from this country must “stay away from protest areas.”
Kenya
Noting that violence has reached “dangerous proportions,” Kenya’s High Commissioner in London asked nationals to “stay away from the protest areas” and “remain vigilant.”
Hong Kong
Hongkoners traveling or staying in the UK must “exercise caution, attend to personal safety, avoid large gatherings of people and pay attention to local announcements,” according to their government.
In a bid to curb protests and riots, which have been largely promoted and organized through social media, authorities have enforced fast-track prison sentences and published photos of demonstrators, warning them that they will be found.
“To anyone intent on causing disorder here, I have one clear message: we will find you, and we will put you before the courts,” warned Merseyside Detective Superintendent Paul Speight.
Another serious warning came from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who stated that social media platforms must ban the incitement of violence through online services.
“Let me also say to large social media companies, and those who run them, violent disorder clearly whipped up online: that is also a crime. It’s happening on your premises, and the law must be upheld everywhere,” said Starmer.