THE NUMBER of racist crimes reported in Ireland rose by almost a third in 2007, which was the third highest increase recorded throughout the EU.
But the true amount of racist crime perpetrated in Ireland and other European countries could be much higher due to significant under-reporting of incidents, says the EU Fundamental Rights Agency’s 2009 annual report.
At a press conference in Vienna, the EU agency’s chairwoman Anastasia Crickley warned the global economic slump could lead to a further spike in racism against immigrants. “Those affected by the crisis inevitably look for scapegoats, which is often seen as the weakest and least likely to be able to defend themselves,” said Ms Crickley, who also works as head of the department of applied social studies at NUI Maynooth.
Using statistics compiled by national authorities, the EU agency found there were 224 racist crimes reported in Ireland in 2007, a 29.5 per cent increase on the 173 crimes reported in 2006. Between 2000 and 2007 reported racist crimes in Ireland increased by 31.3 per cent.
The statistics rank Ireland as the EU country with the third highest increase in racist incidents between 2006 and 2007. Ireland also ranks third for the increase in crime between 2000 and 2007.
Austria and Poland recorded the biggest increases in racist crime in 2007 with the number of incidents rising by 79.5 per cent and 58.7 per cent respectively. But the increases in Austria, Poland and Ireland bucked a generally downward trend reported in 2007 when most EU states recorded less racist crime.
The biggest fall in racist crimes reported between 2006-2007 was recorded in Denmark, which saw a 63 per cent decrease. However, between 2000 and 2007 Denmark recorded a 43.2 per cent increase in reported racist crime.
The EU agency, which collects data on racism, xenophobia and other fundamental rights abuses throughout the EU, warns the true picture of racist crime is probably much worse as many states fail to collect statistics properly. There is also a “striking undercount of racist crime” because vulnerable groups, such as Roma or sub-Saharan Africans, often do not report racist incidents.
A survey completed in November last year by the agency found that almost one in four Roma and sub-Saharan Africans had been the victim of assault, threat or harassment in the previous 12 months.
The agency also found there is systematic discrimination against Roma in healthcare, education, housing and access to employment.