EU: 1/3 of Muslims report discrimination

EU: 1/3 of Muslims report discrimination

A month ago the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights published its European Union Minorities and Discrimination Survey (EU-MIDIS).  Now they're publishing a focused report on Muslims.  Some key findings:


1 in 3 Muslim respondents were discriminated against in the past 12 months and 11% experienced a racist crime. The highest levels of discrimination occurred in employment (when looking for work 18%; at work 13%), and in private services (at a bar restaurant, shop, by a landlord; total 14%). In comparison, of all ethnic groups surveyed within EU-MIDIS, 37% experienced discrimination, and 12% had been a victim of a racist crime.


Muslims aged 16-24 experience more discrimination in comparison with other age groups, with overall discrimination rates declining with age.



Lower discrimination of Muslims with citizenship and longer period of residence


The length of stay in the country also affected levels of discrimination experienced. Those who have lived in a country for longer experienced less discrimination. On average 45% of those who lived in the country for 1-4 years experienced discrimination in contrast to 25% of those born in the country. 29% of youths aged 16-24 who are citizens of the Member States in question experienced discrimination, in contrast to 48% of youths who are not citizens.


On the whole, there are only small differences between Muslim men and women's experiences of discrimination.


Overwhelming majority do not report their experiences of racism


On average, 79% of Muslim respondents, particularly youths, did not report their experiences of discrimination. This means that thousands of cases of discrimination and racist crime remain invisible, and are therefore not recorded in official complaints and criminal justice data collection mechanisms. People without citizenship and those who have lived in the country for the shortest period of time are less likely to report discrimination.


Regarding the reasons for not reporting incidents, 59% of Muslim respondents believe that 'nothing would happen or change by reporting', and 38% say that 'it happens all the time' and therefore they do not make the effort to report incidents.


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Ethnicity is the main reason for discrimination


Of those Muslim respondents who experienced discrimination in the past 12 months, the majority believed that this was mainly due to their ethnic background. Only 10% stated that they thought that the discrimination they experienced was based solely on their religion. However, 51% of Muslims compared to 20% of non-Muslim ethnic minorities surveyed believe that discrimination on grounds of religion or belief is "very" or "fairly" widespread.


Wearing traditional or religious clothing does not influence discrimination


Wearing traditional or religious clothing (such as a headscarf) does not appear to increase the likelihood of being discriminated against. This finding contradicts common assumptions about the negative impact of wearing traditional/religious clothing, such as headscarves.


(more)


Source: FRA

See also: EU: Ethnic groups feel discrimination is widespread

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