Europe (Washington Insider Magazine)—The Council of Europe’s Antiracism Commission (ECRI) annual report said there had been cases of discrimination against Muslim patients, with incidents including difficulties getting as much medical attention “as they would need. The annual report released on Thursday highlights numerous instances where Muslim patients face significant barriers to accessing medical care.
Healthcare Access Hurdles
According to Thenationalnews, Muslim patients in Europe are encountering significant obstacles when seeking medical attention. The report cites instances where Muslims, especially women, were treated disrespectfully by medical staff, who often attributed their symptoms to cultural factors rather than medical ones. This discriminatory behavior has resulted in inadequate medical care for many.
Far-Right Political Gains
The rise in discrimination coincides with a surge in support for far-right political parties across Europe. Recent elections to the European Parliament showcased this shift, with far-right parties gaining substantial ground in several member states. In Germany, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party finished second with almost 16% of the vote. In France, the far-right’s surge forced President Emmanuel Macron to dissolve parliament and announce a snap election.
Impact of Secularism Policies
The ECRI report also criticizes policies that target visible religious symbols and traditional clothing, such as France’s ban on schoolgirls wearing the abaya. These policies have contributed to the stigmatization of Muslims, with individuals wearing religious attire often being associated with terrorism or extremism. This has particularly affected Muslim schoolgirls, who report feeling marginalized and unsupported in educational environments.
Surge in Hate Incidents
Following the Hamas attack against Israel on October 7, there has been a dramatic increase in hate incidents targeting Muslims. The report indicates that Muslims were unfairly blamed for the attack and other Middle Eastern conflicts, fueled by harmful stereotypes. This surge in anti-Muslim sentiment has raised serious concerns among human rights groups.
Anti-Semitism and Other Forms of Hatred
The report also notes a significant rise in anti-Semitic incidents, with occurrences in the past three months surpassing annual averages in several countries. Additionally, while there have been some reports of anti-Ukrainian hate incidents, public discourse generally remains supportive of Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion. However, displaced people from other regions continue to face harsher treatment.
Call for Equal Treatment
ECRI emphasizes the need for equitable treatment of all displaced individuals, regardless of their nationality, skin color, or religion. Johan Friestedt, ECRI’s executive secretary, advocates for a universal approach to welcoming displaced people, mirroring the support shown to Ukrainians. ECRI chairman Bertil Cottier acknowledges that solidarity often favors those perceived as similar to the majority population, underlining the importance of overcoming such biases.
This report calls on Council of Europe member states to actively implement policies to combat anti-Muslim discrimination and promote inclusivity across all sectors.