EU Anti-Racism Chief: Discrimination Deeply Rooted Across Europe

(Patria) - Structural racism remains deeply rooted across Europe and institutions must confront its colonial legacy, stated the European Union's anti-racism coordinator Michaela Moua on Saturday, Reuters reported.

Moua said that data from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights shows that almost half of people of African descent in the bloc said they had experienced discrimination, while many face barriers to employment despite having university degrees.

Addressing entrenched inequalities is crucial for democracy, Moua told a symposium on racism in Amsterdam.

“Racism is not a relic of the past. It is a living structure. It is very tangible for many of us. We feel and we feel the urgency, especially in these political times,” Moua said, adding that better equality data is key, as European Union member states still vary widely in how they collect information on race and ethnicity.

Moua said the bloc’s new anti-racism strategy aims to toughen enforcement of existing laws, strengthen national action plans and tackle racism in public administration.

The strategy, adopted in January, has drawn criticism from non-governmental organisations. The European Network Against Racism said it did not offer a genuine commitment to reparative justice or compensation for the current consequences of European history.