Hate crimes, offenses motivated by racism, xenophobia, religion up by 32% in France last year: Report

Interior Ministry's Statistics Service's report says police and gendarmerie forces recorded 8,500 crimes based on victim's ethnicity, nationality, or religion in 2023

By Esra Taskin

PARIS (AA) – Racist, xenophobic, and religious-based hate crimes and offenses increased by 32% in France in 2023 compared to the previous year.

According to a report released by the Interior Ministry's Statistics Service (SSMSI) on Wednesday, police and gendarmerie forces recorded 8,500 crimes based on the victim's ethnicity, nationality, or religion last year.

According to the report, 6,400 of these crimes ended up in fines.

It noted that 61% of racist crimes classified as high- and medium-level crimes involved insults, provocations, or public humiliation.

The eastern Bas-Rhin and southern Alpes-Maritimes regions had the highest number of victims of racism in 2023 and 2022, said the report.

The majority of the victims were men aged 25-54, and foreigners of African origin, the report added.

Kaynak: