Racism against Black people increasing in US, Western countries, research shows

By Tufan Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – Despite efforts to prevent discrimination in the US, UK, and EU countries, institutional and individual racism continues to rise.

While rapid changes in the economic and social spheres in recent years have triggered discrimination against foreigners, people from different ethnic groups say they face discrimination in their countries despite being citizens.

Since 1966, March 21 has been designated as the "International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination," in memory of the 69 people killed by police during a protest against apartheid laws in South Africa on March 21, 1960.

While the "International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination," adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1965, has been signed by 88 countries so far, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination under the UN is working to fulfil the obligations of the convention.

The discriminatory attitudes towards Black and non-white ethnic groups, especially since the colonial period in Western countries, continue to exist in all layers of society today, although most legal barriers have been removed.

Black people are among the groups that experience the most discrimination in the US, UK, and EU countries.

- 8 out of 10 African-Americans encounter racism

In the US, which has frequently made headlines around the world due to racist attacks in recent years, Black people complain the most about institutional racism against them.

According to Pew Research Center data, approximately 8 out of 10 African-Americans say they have experienced personal discrimination because of their race or ethnicity, citing an increase in white supremacist hate groups.

Meanwhile, 7 out of 10 African-Americans believe that discrimination prevents Black people from advancing in their careers.

Black Americans advocate for reform to US institutions and the judicial system, arguing that institutional discrimination persists.

Asians are another major group that frequently faces discrimination in the US.

While 58% of Asian adults say they have experienced racial discrimination or unfair treatment due to their race or ethnicity, 53% say they have sometimes encountered racial discrimination.

- Black people face most discrimination in France, Germany, Austria

According to a recent survey conducted by the EU with more than 6,700 people of African descent in 13 member states, the most discrimination against Black people occurs in Germany and Austria.

In Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden, 47% of people of African descent reported being discriminated against at least once over the past five years.

In Germany, 77% of participants reported experiencing discrimination in the last five years, while 76% of Austrian participants reported encountering discrimination at least once in the last five years.

According to a study conducted by the Representative Council of Black Associations (CRAN), 91% of Black people in France report experiencing racial discrimination on a regular or irregular basis, with 85% citing discrimination based on skin color.

Black people in France say discrimination occurs 41% of the time in public places and 31% of the time at work.

- Most hate crimes in UK racially motivated

According to a joint study conducted by three UK universities last year, one in every three people from various ethnic and religious minority groups has experienced at least one type of racist attack in their lives.

Between 40 and 50% of Black people in the UK face racism daily, whether they are shopping, in parks, or using public transportation.

According to British government data, 155,841 hate crimes were reported between March 2021 and March 2022, with the majority being racially motivated, accounting for more than two-thirds (approximately 70%) of hate crimes, totaling 109,843.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi