A not too long ago printed report exhibits that solely a tiny proportion of rascist incidents affecting Muslims in Switzerland are reported. Round a 3rd (35%) of Switzerland’s 450,000 Muslims report being victims of racism. Nevertheless, solely round 60 folks a yr report such incidents to Switzerland’s official racism reporting centres.
Marianne Helfer, head of the Federal Workplace for Combating Racism, the organisation chargeable for the report, mentioned hostile attitudes in the direction of Muslims are comparatively excessive in Switzerland in comparison with these towards different minorities. In line with one other survey by the Federal Statistical Workplace (FSO), hostility in the direction of muslims is essentially the most widespread type of hostility in Switzerland, second solely to a common dislike of foreigners. As well as, the negativity in the direction of Muslims is extra intensely felt.
The report’s authors describe anti-Muslim racism as perceiving Muslims to be a homogeneous group with mounted traits. Discriminatory perceptions primarily scale back them to their faith, ignoring different variable points of their identification. This may result in generalisations that, for instance, deem all Muslims to be homophobic, sexist, anti-Semitic, immune to democracy, or extra more likely to be violent. These generalisations can then result in a perception that Muslim tradition can by no means be suitable with values thought-about European.
Anti-muslim sentiment is deeply rooted in Switzerland. The narrative of a threatening Islamic advance in Europe goes again to the seventh century, says the report.
Extra not too long ago, a referendum in Switzerland in 2009 that led to a ban on the development of minarets amplified destructive sentiments. These selling the ban inspired a debate targeted on the failure of some muslims to combine into Swiss society. This was adopted by a vote in 2021 to ban face coverings. Campaigns for this vote, which discovered a majority, additional added to the generalisation that muslim males are sexist and muslim girls are oppressed.
Current world occasions have additionally performed a job. The assaults of September 11, 2001 within the US characterize a key world occasion affecting perceptions, mentioned the authors. The assaults on 7 October 2023 in Israel and the escalation of the Center East battle have additionally influenced public discourse. Muslims at the moment are being confronted with blanket accusations of anti-Semitism.
The latest research finds most Muslim experiences of racism are associated to employment. A big proportion of these affected skilled discrimination when in search of work or of their on a regular basis working life. Job seekers with Kosovar names had been discovered to be deprived within the job utility course of. A research on the Muslim employment hole exhibits that Muslim folks have greater than twice the chance of unemployment as non-Muslim folks. Having a Swiss passport doesn’t appear to alter this, nor does a college diploma. As well as, there may be proof that girls carrying headscarfs are discriminated towards. Experiments have demonstrated that girls carrying headscarfs are much less more likely to be helped in public settings and extra more likely to be chided for standing on the left of an escalator blocking folks from passing.
Most cases of anti-muslim racism in Switzerland are unreported. One research discovered that only one of two,471 instances had been reported. Switzerland’s official racism reporting centres obtain solely round 60 reviews are yr. One motive for low reporting charges is a lack of knowledge. Many are unaware official reporting centres exist. Another excuse is an absence of belief within the Swiss authorities.
The report recommends official reporting centres higher publicise their companies and work to construct belief with outreach and multilingual data. As well as, on-line reporting platforms must be made accessible to report hate speech on the Web. Networking amongst Muslim communities is also improved, mentioned the authors. Extra work may very well be achieved to coach folks at faculties and within the office. Nameless CVs and job interview checklists may additionally assist. Legislation enforcement authorities also needs to make better use of the choices accessible beneath present regulation, advocate the authors.
Extra on this:
Anti-Muslim racism report (in German)
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