Amnesty International on Islamophobia in Europe: Intolerance and unfair discrimination against Muslims is a form of racism
Amnesty International confirmed that intolerance and unfair discrimination against Muslims is a form of racism.
The organization said that amid the escalation of Islamophobia in Europe, hyperbolized by politicians who use anti-Muslim rhetoric, parliamentarians from 46 countries will vote in a plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on a resolution accusing the authorities in many European countries, of normalizing discrimination against Muslims, and to call on states to act to address the phenomenon of Islamophobia as a form of racism.”
Ahead of the discussion and vote on 11 October 2022, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for Europe, Nils Muznieks, said: “This decision should be a wake-up call, there is no place for racist laws, policies and practices in Europe.”
He added that hate crimes against Muslims and those deemed to be Muslims are often not officially recorded, or effectively investigated, and surveillance of men and women is accepted and even Muslim children are, unreservedly, a normal practice, and a host of counter-terrorism measures operate outside criminal justice systems, without adequate safeguards.
He explained that the daily intolerance, prejudice and discrimination that many Muslims suffer from is a form of racism, and Muslim women are disproportionately affected, as they face unfair discrimination for multiple reasons.
“At a time when politicians who promote fear are demonizing Muslims to gain votes, it is more important than ever that Muslim communities have a voice at the decision table,” he stressed.
