topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2249.23 -0.94
DAX 6743.28 -0.67
IBEX 30 8843.9 -0.65
CAC 40 3406.61 -0.53
FTSE 100 5882.46 -0.22
AEX 323.02 -0.65
DJIA 12890.46 0.05
Nasdaq 2927.23 0.39
FTSE MIB 16646.36 -0.04
TSX Composite 12497.94 -0.18
ASX 4322.6 -0.79
Hang seng 20783.86 -1.08
Straits Times 2960 -0.71
ISEQ 20 502.13 -0.31
You are here: Home News Spanish News Racist violence in Europe largely unreported: survey

Spanish News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


24/04/2009Racist violence in Europe largely unreported: survey

About 80 percent of discrimination and racially motivated violence crimes are unreported, reveals the first ever EU-wide survey on immigrant and ethnic minority groups' experiences of discrimination and racist crime.

BRUSSELS – Discrimination and racially motivated violence are far more widespread than official statistics suggest in Europe, with the Roma and Africans bearing the brunt, a new EU study charged Wednesday.

The first ever EU-wide survey on immigrant and ethnic minority groups' experiences of discrimination and racist crime, carried out by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), uncovered "a sense of resignation among ethnic minorities and immigrants" on the issue.

They "appear to lack confidence in mechanisms to protect victims," the report's authors say.

"The survey reveals how large the 'dark figure' of racist crime and discrimination really is in the EU. Official racism figures only show the tip of the iceberg," warned FRA director Morten Kjaerum.

Of those minorities polled throughout the 27 EU nations, over a third, 37 percent, said they had personally experienced discrimination in the past year, with 12 percent saying they were the victim of a racist crime.

However, the report says, 80 percent of these did not report the incident to the police, leaving official crime statistics woefully inadequate.

The Roma gypsies reported the highest levels of discrimination, with one in two respondents saying they were the victims of discrimination in the last 12 months.

Sub-Saharan Africans were also among the worst affected, with 41 percent saying they had been discriminated against, followed by North Africans at 36 percent.

The report's authors did not wish to offer figures on which European nations were the worst for discrimination.

The European Commission voiced concern that the results show that "discrimination, racism and xenophobia are still persistent phenomena in the EU, that they affect the lives of members of ethnic minorities in the EU and of immigrants, and that they can hamper their integration into our societies."

The results of the survey "reaffirm the need for the European Union and its member states ... to strengthen their common fight against discrimination, racism and xenophobia," the EU's executive arm added.

EU Justice and Freedom Commissioner Jacques Barrot also raised concerns over the reports findings that racism was seen in everyday matters such as accessing to the labour market, housing, education, opening a bank account or obtaining a loan.

"There is no doubt that such experiences can negatively affect the integration process of immigrants, a process vital to ensure the social cohesion of our societies".

AFP / Expatica


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

English in Spain

Public (free) primary schools in Barcelona + surrounding areas.

Jobs in Spain

IFAs / FSIs / Country Managers / Confidential Introducers

Community Noticeboard Spain

Barcelona-stay updated!

Housing in Spain

Sitges, Barcelona - 5 Bedroom Villa € 1,150,000 For Sale

Jobs in Spain

“Silicon Valley Comes to Barcelona”, 24th Feb 2012

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Expatica's Getting Started section will provide practical information on how you can open a bank account, exchange your driving licence, improve your Spanish, and more.

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Here's a guide to an extensive list of groups and clubs in Madrid for expats, from sports groups to social and family gatherings.

Groups and Clubs around Spain

Groups and Clubs around Spain

A brief introduction to our Tax section for Spain, from help with inheritance tax to accounting advice.

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Spain, from what to ask the experts to opening a Spanish bank account.