MORE THAN half of sub-Saharan Africans in Ireland have experienced discrimination, according to a Europe-wide survey.
The survey of 23,500 respondents across all 27 member states was conducted by the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), which is meeting in Vienna today.
The results show extensive discrimination against minorities across the EU, especially Roma in the former countries of Eastern Europe and Africans in certain other countries. The most serious discrimination was experienced by Roma in the Czech Republic, while Somalis were the group most discriminated against in Finland and Denmark.
The FRA, which is chaired by Irish woman Anastasia Crickley, head of Applied Social Studies in NUI Maynooth, conducts research to enable the EU to develop evidence-based policy to tackle discrimination in Europe.
“While the population of members states is becoming increasingly diverse there has been a severe lack of data on minorities in many countries,” Ms Crickley said.
The FRA commissioned the survey, which was conducted by Gallup, seeking information on the direct experience of minorities in the EU. “It is the largest EU survey ever of minorities’ experience,” she said.
It examined minorities’ experience when looking for work, accommodation, healthcare or social services, in access to education and in social activities such as entering a restaurant or bar.
It also looked at their experience in the EU of crime, including property crime and violence or threats against them.
It found that one in four had been a victim of crime in the preceding 12 months, with sub-Saharan Africans experiencing the highest levels of violence, followed by Roma.
Nearly one in five had been a victim of harassment.
Members of minorities were also more likely to be the victims of property crime.
Eleven per cent of north Africans had experienced discrimination when simply trying to enter a shop, and 17 per cent of Roma experienced discrimination from healthcare personnel.
There was also widespread discrimination in accessing education and employment.
“This result is alarming as education and paid employment hold the key to integration and social inclusion,” Ms Crickley said.
The survey also showed that most members of minorities were unaware of EU anti-discrimination law, and of the existence of bodies to whom they could report the discrimination.
There was also a low level of trust in the police when it came to reporting crime carried out against them.
Ms Crickely said this highlighted the need for targeted responses to ensure the development and implementation of effective policies to combat discrimination.