Annual racism report flags 630 cases of discrimination
A record number of cases of racial discrimination were recorded in Switzerland in 2021, with schools and other education centres seeing a notable increase.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/swissinfo.ch/dos
Español
es
630 casos de discriminación en un informe anual sobre racismo
The most-cited places where discrimination was flagged were the workplace and the education sector, according to the Federal Commission against Racism’s (FCR) annual reportExternal link, released on Sunday.
The 94 cases in the education sector were particularly singled out by the FCR, which called for better training to help teachers detect discrimination and to give them the tools to respond.
The most frequently-mentioned type of discrimination was xenophobia (218 cases), followed by racism against black people (207). Discrimination of an anti-Islamic (53) or anti-Arab (51) nature were also frequent.
A new category of anti-Asian racism was also introduced into the report for the first time, with 41 incidents flagged – most often insults, disparaging remarks, or degrading characterisations.
Anti-semitic incidents, at 31, were also slightly up on the previous year; the FCR noted that the tense period of the pandemic had boosted the spread of anti-Jewish ideas, including those trivialising or denying the Holocaust.
In February this year, Jewish organisations in Switzerland also warned of a significant increase in anti-Semitic conspiracy theories linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as attacks on Swiss synagogues.
Authorities have not been blind to this: the government announced earlier this month a boost in funding to protect Jewish and Muslim minority groups in Switzerland – notably at their places of worship.
Snapshot, not compendium
As for the FCR report, its preamble notes that the cases recorded are not an “exhaustive and complete” overview of every racist act that happened in 2021. Rather, the report is an “overview of the cases flagged to counselling centres, the realities that [these cases] may reflect, and the way they were handled”.
The FCR also noted that while case numbers are increasing, this “does not necessarily mean there is a general increase in racial discrimination in Switzerland; but there is a growing will among victims to speak out and seek help”.
Pro-Palestine protests extend to Basel and Fribourg universities
This content was published on
Demonstrators called for an academic boycott of all Israeli institutions and disassociation with Chaim Weizmann, the first Israeli president.
This content was published on
In many cases, China's use of AI undermines the national security of the US and its allies, according to a US government representative.
Swiss Hells Angels trial alleges rape and money laundering
This content was published on
An allegedly high-ranking member of the Hells Angels is accused of money laundering totalling millions and rape, among other serious crimes.
SWISS is airline ‘group flagship’ says Lufthansa boss
This content was published on
Despite challenges, Lufthansa and its most important subsidiary, Swiss International Airlines, promise increased satisfaction and continued growth.
Swiss rediscover communist zeal after 84-year hiatus
This content was published on
Over 300 participants founded the Revolutionary Communist Party (RKP) at its congress in Burgdorf in canton Bern at the weekend.
This content was published on
Nemo brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Switzerland with a victory on Saturday evening in Malmö, Sweden. It is Switzerland's third victory in the history of the music contest.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.