Rise of the right built on hate and fear

Former US president Barack Obama’s statement following shootings in Ohio and El Paso that left more than 30 people dead, was directed at Americans, but it has far wider relevance.

Obama warned that Americans must “soundly reject language” from any leader who “feeds a climate of fear and hatred or normalises racist sentiments”. He told Americans that “we are not helpless ... and until all of us stand up and insist on holding public officials accountable for changing our gun laws, these tragedies will keep happening”.