New increase in racist, xenophobic or anti-religious crimes and crimes in 2022 in France

According to the data of the Statistical Service of the Ministry of Internal Security (SSMSI), ethnic, nationality, so-called Crimes or misdemeanors committed because of race or religion are set to rise by 5% across France in 2022 compared to the previous year. The figures continue for 2021, a year for which the Home Office has already reported a 13% increase in racist, xenophobic and anti-religious crimes and offenses compared to 2019.

However, the number of crimes has decreased by 4% since 2017 after a constant increase (except for 2020, which was marked by a pandemic). The national police and gendarmerie services recorded a total of 12,600 racist, xenophobic or anti-religious crimes: 6,600 felonies or misdemeanors and 6,000 fines (down 12%). The report states that this is mainly a crime of public humiliation “racist” (58% of all crimes or misdemeanors “racists”). Threats and blackmail represent 17% of the same group, assault on life and violence, 6%. “We note an increase in violent acts, in a political atmosphere that encourages the spread of racist speech, especially during presidential elections.worries SOS Racisme president Dominique Sopho.

The highest number of racist crimes and crimes per capita was recorded in Paris and to a lesser extent in Seine-Saint-Denis and Bas-Rhin. On the contrary, in the West (Morbihan and Vendée), Gers, Arde, Loserres, Haute-Alpes, Réunion and Mayotte have the fewest.

The Statistical Service of the Minister states that this increase may be consistent “As an increase in the phenomenon, but also because of the better management of these actions by the security services and the increased awareness among the public.” However, it is highly likely that these figures are largely underestimated, as the number of victims who file complaints is still very low. According to the 2013-2018 Living Environment and Safety Survey, cited by SSMSI, approximately 25% of victims of racist threats or physical violence and 5% of victims of racist abuse go to the police station or gendarmerie brigade. Accordingly, only 14% and 2% of victims file a complaint immediately.

“Lack of sensitivity and training”

According to the National Advisory Commission on Human Rights, 1.2 million people experience discrimination or racist or anti-Semitic attacks every year, and the Ministry of Justice reports that in 2021 there were only 1,382 convictions for racist, anti-Semitic or xenophobic acts. . “There is still a lack of sensitivity and training to this phenomenon, especially among the police.” “There are so few convictions that victims tell themselves there is no point in going to the police or the justice system.” Dominic Sopho regrets.