Switzerland documented a record 352 cases of discrimination in 2019, reflecting an increase in racist acts in public places and attacks spurred by far-right ideologies.
Xenophobia was the main driver for racist behaviour. Black and Muslim people are the worst affected, with 132 and 55 cases respectively registered by counselling centresExternal link in 2019.
External Content
The number of cases with a right-wing extremist connotation also rose in 2019. Every tenth attack falls under this category, notes the Blick newspaper in its Sunday edition.
Only a small number of victims of racism, she notes, seek help from an advice centre. The number of unreported cases is believed to be higher than the number of reported cases.
Notable racist acts in 2019 included the spraying of Nazi symbols, people making the Hitler salute and attacks against black youth.
Racial profiling is another issue highlighted by the authorities, with 23 cases reported last year.
The 352 figure represents a 27% increase relative to 2018. The government has already published some of its main findingsExternal link for 2019 but is expected to release a full report on the issue on Monday.
In its 2020 report, the Council of Europe’s Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) urged Switzerland to boost the capacity of counselling centres for victims of racism.
External Content
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Almost finished… We need to confirm your email address. To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you.
This content was published on
Swiss public broadcasters RTS and SRF are drastically reducing their communications via the social network X (formerly Twitter).
Israel: president of Swiss universities rejects academic boycott
This content was published on
Luciana Vaccaro, president of Swissuniversities, the umbrella group of Swiss universities, is not in favour of an academic boycott of Israeli universities.
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
This content was published on
The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
This content was published on
An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
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.
Read more
More
Swiss police investigate KKK carnival costumes
This content was published on
The Schwyz cantonal police force has interviewed all 12 people who dressed in Ku Klux Klan costumes during carnival celebrations last week.
Anti-racism report recommends regularising asylum seekers after six years
This content was published on
The Council of Europe has recommended that Switzerland grant legal resident status to those who cannot return to their country after six years.
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.