Unia: 90% of Discrimination Cases in Belgium Involve Muslims
Patrick Charlier, director of the Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities (Unia), has expressed deep concern over the alarming rise of anti-Muslim sentiment in Belgium, Anadolu Agency reported today.
According to recent findings, nine out of ten individuals facing discrimination in the country are Muslims, particularly veiled women. This trend is underscored by a report from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), which indicates a significant increase in racism against Muslims since 2016, with half of those surveyed experiencing daily discrimination.
The survey, which included 9,000 respondents across 13 EU member states from October 2021 to October 2022, revealed that 43% of Muslims in Belgium report facing housing discrimination. Charlier highlighted that discrimination is pervasive in various sectors, including education and employment, with a notable impact on women wearing headscarves.
Furthermore, he noted that while the overall situation remains stable, anti-immigrant rhetoric fuels anti-Muslim sentiment. Charlier emphasized the need for greater awareness and proactive measures to combat this growing issue, as discrimination not only affects individuals but also undermines social cohesion in Belgium.
