Racism in Switzerland surges amid rising xenophobia, hate speech: EKR
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Switzerland has witnessed a 40% rise in racist and xenophobic incidents in 2024, with attacks on Muslims and Arabs sharply increasing, according to the Federal Commission against Racism.
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People hold up a banner during a 'Unity Vigil' against racism and Islamophobia, backdropped by the gates of Downing Street in London, Friday March 24, 2017. (AP)
Switzerland experienced a significant surge in racist and xenophobic incidents in 2024, with a sharp increase in attacks targeting Muslims and Arabs, according to official statistics released on Sunday.
The Federal Commission against Racism (EKR) reported 1,211 incidents last year involving hate speech, physical attacks, threats, and other forms of discriminatory behavior based on race and religious affiliation. This marked a nearly 40-percent rise compared to 2023.
These types of incidents have been increasing over recent years in Switzerland, a country with nearly nine million inhabitants, around 40 percent of whom have a migration background. However, EKR described last year's spike as "particularly significant", issuing a joint statement with the Swiss NGO Human Rights.
Islamophobia, discrimination against Arabs
The report identified several factors contributing to the escalation, including rising geopolitical tensions, increasing polarization in public discourse, and a greater willingness among individuals to report cases.
Xenophobic and anti-Black discrimination were the most frequently reported, accounting for 65 percent of all cases. However, discrimination against Muslims and Arabs saw the most notable increase, with over 350 reported cases in 2024.
Verbal, physical attacks mark the surge
In addition, nearly 80 cases of anti-Asian discrimination and 66 cases of anti-Semitism were reported. Most incidents involved verbal attacks, but approximately 100 cases involved racially motivated physical violence.
Hate speech incidents saw the most considerable rise, with 149 reported cases. The report also noted over 400 cases of denigrating comments, nearly 300 instances of insults, and more than 100 threats.
Almost one-fifth of all documented incidents occurred within educational settings, primarily in primary and secondary schools, highlighting concerns about the spread of discriminatory behaviour among younger populations.
Muslims in Europe experience ‘worrying surge’ in racism
An October 2024 study by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) found that Muslims throughout Europe are facing a "concerning increase" in racism, partly driven by "dehumanizing anti-Muslim rhetoric."
Even though the survey was conducted prior to October 7, 2023, and the launch of Operation al-Aqsa Flood and the war on Gaza, the Vienna-based agency revealed that information from civil society organizations and national authorities suggested a continued rise in anti-Muslim crimes since the outbreak of the war.
“We are witnessing a worrying surge in racism and discrimination against Muslims in Europe,” said the agency’s director, Sirpa Rautio, adding, “This is fuelled by conflicts in the Middle East and made worse by the dehumanizing anti-Muslim rhetoric we see across the continent.”
After Operation al-Aqsa Flood, officials scrambled to contain a rise in hate crimes aimed at the Muslim communities, such as dozens of letters containing threats and insults sent to Muslim councils and mosques in France.
The FRA found that 47% of Muslims surveyed in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden reported experiencing racism in the five years before 2022, a notable rise from 39% in 2016.
Read more: EU report exposes alarming surge in anti-Muslim sentiment
