Global Courant
BERLIN
The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency said on Tuesday that the number of people filing discrimination complaints in Germany rose 14% in 2022 compared to 2021, reaching a total of 8,827.
Ferda Ataman, Head of Germany’s Anti-Discrimination Office, said while announcing the report at a press conference in Berlin, “There has never been as many applications to the Federal Anti-Discrimination Office as we did last year.”
Pointing out that many countries in Europe have laws that provide equal treatment to individuals, Ataman explained that discrimination based on factors such as age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, worldview, race, and antisemitism is prohibited within the scope of General Equal Treatment in Germany. Law (AGG).
He pointed out that the most complaints were based on racial discrimination (43%), disabled people (27%), gender (21%), age (10%) and religion (6 percent). and worldview.
He said most of the complaints were about “access to services” and “business”.
Ataman emphasized that the complaints are only the tip of the iceberg and do not fully reflect the extent of discrimination in Germany.
He underlined that it should not be considered “normal” for the disabled to be excluded from daily life and the workforce, for those with Turkish and Arabic surnames to be unable to find housing, and for those over 50 years of age to be unable to find a job simply because of their age. “
“The numbers clearly show that. We’ve had more complaints than we can handle,” he said.
The ‘lowest point’ in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany
Ataman said Sunday’s election of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) candidate in Sonneberg was the “lowest point” in the history of the Federal Republic, given the far-right populist, Islamophobic and anti-immigrant stance of the candidate.
The far-right party achieved its first victory in Germany’s election for a regional council, marking an important turning point in the country’s political landscape.
The result is described as a turning point for German politics.
Ataman said, “As someone who fights against discrimination, I see myself as an advocate for anyone who is discriminated against in Germany. Many people are afraid and concerned about their future in the country.”
He urged politicians to listen to those who harbor anxiety and fear, rather than focusing on those who voted for far-right parties.
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