Extremist political reactions to the stabbing in Germany involving a Syrian asylum seeker and the anti-migrant riots in the UK are not just isolated incidents—they are the latest, painful reminders that something is deeply wrong in our society, writes Carmine Conte.
Carmine Conte is a senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Group
These events are symptoms of a much larger issue that we need to address urgently: the structural racism embedded in our institutions and everyday lives. The Council of Europe has rightly identified structural discrimination as operating “through norms, routines, patterns of attitudes, and behaviour that create obstacles to achieving genuine equality or equal opportunities.” Tackling structural and institutional racism is not just necessary—it is long overdue.
Over the past few weeks, as these stories dominated headlines, I found myself returning to the findings of our recent research at the Migration Policy Group (MPG). We have made significant progress in combating racial discrimination since 2000. Thanks to robust anti-discrimination laws across Europe. Yet, our research—spanning eight EU countries—unveils a troubling reality: these legal frameworks, while essential, barely scratch the surface of the deeply rooted nature of racism that affects many minority groups across the continent.
A notable finding of our study is the pervasive colour-blind approach entrenched in the national legal systems and societal attitudes. This approach avoids the explicit acknowledgement of ‘race’ and ultimately perpetuates racial inequalities by ignoring the unique experiences of racialised groups. In fact, the main visible characteristics leading to racialisation, such as skin colour and ethnic or religious clothing, remain unaddressed in national legal frameworks.
Take, for instance, the Roma, Black people, and Muslims across Europe. Our research highlights that structural racism is particularly evident against these groups in sectors such as justice, healthcare, education, employment, and housing. In Sweden, the Sámi population faces localised forms of structural racism, while in most countries, Asians remain an “invisible” group, often overlooked in discussions and data on racism. Antisemitism is formally acknowledged in legal frameworks, but underreporting and limited jurisprudence indicate significant gaps in addressing this form of discrimination.
Structural racism is a serious issue in law enforcement, with racial profiling and the excessive use of force disproportionately targeting Roma, Black people, Muslims, and migrants. These practices violate the principle of equality before the law and foster a climate of fear and mistrust among affected communities.
In recent years, one of the most glaring examples of structural racism has been the Dutch childcare benefits scandal, and in a country often praised for its progressive values, an algorithmic system used by public authorities to detect fraudulent claims was, in fact, steeped in racial bias. This system unjustly targeted tens of thousands of low-income parents and caregivers, predominantly from ethnic minority backgrounds, accusing them of fraud.
The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights also found a general presumption of discrimination by the Tax Authority. However, despite repeated calls from various sectors of society and NGOs, the government did not take proper action to address this issue. According to Amnesty International, this state-sanctioned discrimination by the Dutch tax authorities devastated lives and shattered trust in government institutions.
The impact of structural racism extends beyond public institutions into the daily lives of racialised individuals. Online hate speech, prejudice, and denial of access to basic services are common forms of discrimination that, while subtle, are profoundly damaging. These manifestations of racism are challenging to quantify and combat, yet they are integral to understanding the full picture of racial discrimination in Europe.
Despite the EU’s Anti-racism Action Plan 2020-2025, few Member States have publicly acknowledged racism as a structural problem. In most countries, racism is still perceived as an isolated issue rather than a deep-seated societal problem.
If we want to combat structural racism effectively, European countries must move beyond colour-blind policies and explicitly recognise the systemic nature of racism. This involves integrating a nuanced understanding of racial issues into legal frameworks, public policies, and societal attitudes. Moreover, comprehensive data collection on all racialised groups, including those often overlooked, is essential to formulate targeted and effective policies.
Public awareness and recognition of structural racism are crucial in transforming societal attitudes. Acknowledging past wrongs is just the first step. When national governments apologise and formally recognise the historical legacy of racism, they can open the door to something far more powerful: the opportunity to pursue restorative justice.
Addressing structural racism requires a multifaceted approach that combines legal reforms, public and social awareness, and targeted policies. It is time now to talk about structural racism in Europe and work together to achieve true equality and justice for all European citizens.
Source: euractiv.com
