The United Kingdom government has appointed Dr. Samir Shah, an Indian-born race relations expert, to join a three-person panel responsible for independently reviewing the unrest that occurred in Leicester last year. This unrest stemmed from clashes between community groups following an India-Pakistan Asia Cup cricket match in Dubai.
Dr. Samir Shah, who received a CBE honor in 2019 for his contributions to heritage and television, will work alongside other expert panel members to present their findings by the upcoming year. This decision was announced by the UK government on September 18.
Dr. Shah’s background makes him well-suited for this review. He has previously served as a Commissioner for the UK’s Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities. Additionally, he held the position of Chair at the country’s independent race equality think tank, the Runnymede Trust, for a decade. He also served as a member of the Holocaust Commission.
The panel’s objectives encompass several crucial aspects. Firstly, it aims to meticulously establish a factual account of the events that unfolded during the period of unrest, creating a clear and comprehensive timeline of events. Secondly, it will conduct a thorough analysis to identify the root causes behind the unrest. Furthermore, the panel will offer practical recommendations to prevent similar events from happening in the future. Lastly, it will outline proposals and strategies to enhance local social cohesion and promote a stronger sense of community unity.
