In Europe, racism is rampant, unrelenting, and increasing. According to a survey by The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) , almost 50% of Black respondents in member states reported experiencing discrimination, ranging from verbal abuse directed at their kids to having been denied rent by landlords.
The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights i.e., FRA released a survey on Wednesday that revealed a marked rise in racist persecution and discrimination against the Black immigrants from first and second generation in 13 EU member nations. Austria, Finland, and Germany were the top three countries recording the highest incidences of persecution and discrimination.
The study, which is called ‘Being Black in the EU’ looked at the background of 6,752 people who lived in Belgium, Austria, France, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Finland, Italy, Poland, Spain, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Sweden had either been born in sub-Saharan Africa or had one of the parents born in that region.
According to the survey, 45% of respondents said they have encountered racial prejudice, rise by six percent against 39% in the year 2016. In the five years before the study, almost half of the participants reported feeling discriminated against in one or more areas of their lives, and over a third reported encountering discrimination the previous year.
Three out of four respondents in Germany 72% and Austria 76% reported experiencing discrimination in the previous five years, compared to half 51% and 52% back in 2016 when they were asked the same question.
The EU agency stated that the results ought to serve as a wake-up call. The FRA discovered in its survey that a large number of Black individuals in the EU often endure prejudice and discrimination based solely on skin colour. This prejudice can take many forms, from difficulties finding housing and work to suffering harassment which leaves affected individuals being severely scarred.
Any form of prejudice or discrimination on the basis of age, belief or religion, colour, ethnicity, genetic features, language, sex, race, views on politics, property, birth, disability, or sexual orientation is forbidden, as stated in the EU Charter under Article 21 of Fundamental Rights.
As per Director of FRA, Michael O’Flaherty, this describes the current situation for a large number of EU citizens. When looking for employment or housing, those belonging from African heritage frequently encounter prejudice and discrimination.
The Director of FRA stated that discrimination on the basis of race had no right to exist in Europe and that it was alarming and humiliating to see the genuine extent of racism in the EU.
He said that the FRA was going to continue in its efforts to guarantee that everyone receives fair treatment and respect.
Written by: Divyani Newar, College name: NEF Law College, 5th Semester, 3 Year LL.B, An intern under Legal Vidhiya
References:
- https://www.jurist.org/news/2023/10/eu-survey-shows-escalating-racism-towards-black-immigrants/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67217771
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/25/pervasive-and-relentless-racism-on-the-rise-in-europe-survey-finds
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