BERLIN: Racism against Black individuals is on the rise in Europe, with Germany, Austria, and Finland leading the way in terms of discrimination and harassment, according to a survey conducted among first- and second-generation Black immigrants across 13 European Union countries.
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), which commissioned the survey and conducted an in-depth analysis of the findings, reported that in just six years since the previous study, the percentage of respondents who had experienced racial discrimination in the past 12 months had surged by 10 percentage points, reaching an alarming 34 percent.
In Austria and Germany, the situation was even more disconcerting, with 64 percent of respondents reporting experiences of racial discrimination. This marks a nearly twofold increase from the 33 percent recorded in Germany and a significant jump from the 42 percent recorded in Austria six years earlier. Finland followed closely behind with 54 percent.
FRA Director Michael O’Flaherty expressed his concern, stating that it is shocking to see no improvement since our last survey. Instead, people of African descent face ever more discrimination solely based on the color of their skin.
In an even more unsettling trend, the proportion of respondents who reported feeling racially discriminated against over the past five years, as opposed to the past 12 months, increased to 45 percent across the 13 countries surveyed. This is a six-point increase from the previous study.
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Notably, Germany maintained its position at the top of the list, with a staggering 76 percent of respondents reporting racial discrimination over the past five years. This indicates a worsening situation for Black individuals living in Germany.
The findings of this survey underscore the urgency of addressing the growing issue of racism against Black people in Europe. Governments, organizations, and individuals must work together to combat discrimination, promote inclusivity, and ensure that people of African descent are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. The data presented by the FRA serves as a stark reminder that more needs to be done to create a Europe where all individuals can live free from discrimination and prejudice.
