EU Agency : Muslim Migrants Targeted in Hate Crime Incidents in Europe

Brussels, 23 Safar 1438/23 November 2016 (MINA) – Arson attacks, violence, even murder, and everyday harassment are just some of the worrying hate crime against migrants and asylum seekers across 14 EU countries, according to KUNA, cited the latest report released Tuesday by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights.

“This intolerance is spilling over to other parts of society with Muslims, especially women, and people from ethnic backgrounds, particularly targeted,” underlines the report.

Human rights advocates, “pro-refugee” politicians and journalists have also been targeted, points the report.

Most EU Member States do not collect or publish statistical data on hate crime incidents against asylum seekers and migrants; civil society often are the main sources of information.

The report says that vigilantes and the general public are often behind the attacks and offline and online hate speech, including by public figures who sometimes even condone attacks, is fuelling open intolerance.

Asylum seekers and migrants rarely report hate crimes to authorities or other organisations for a number of reasons.

These include a lack of trust in the police and public authorities; fear of arrest, being deported or of retaliation, concludes the report. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

Europe is known for its xenophobia— its dislike and fear of people from other countries.