Rejected petition: Review guidance on the racially derogatory use of the term “coconut”
Rejected on
Review relevant guidance on racial discrimination, harassment, and hate incidents to explicitly recognise the term “coconut”—when directed at a person because of their race or ethnicity in a derogatory manner—as an example of racially derogatory language.
The term “coconut” is used against Black and minority ethnic individuals to suggest they are one race externally but identify or behave like another internally.
Clearer guidance will improve public understanding of when this expression constitutes racial abuse or harassment, while still recognising that context is important in determining unlawful language.
Explicit guidance will help with the consistent identification and response to this form of racial derogation.
Why was this petition rejected?
It’s not clear what the petition is asking the UK Government or Parliament to do.
Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.
We're not sure exactly what you'd like the Government or Parliament to do. There is no official list of words or phrases that are unlawful, but use of any language that is motivated by racial discrimination, irrespective of the words used, can already be a crime. We are not sure what existing guidance you are referring to in this petition.
You could start a new petition explaining clearly what you would like the Government or Parliament to do, such as reviewing whether prosecutions of racially discriminatory and abusive language are effective enough.
We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.