Incidents of children experiencing violence or mistreatment as a result of their ethnic background is higher in Ireland than the average found in a study of 15 EU countries.

The EU’s Agency for Fundamental Rights collected data from 16,124 people across the EU, who were either from or had one parent from Africa, Syria or Turkey.

Over half of people of African descent in Ireland surveyed said they were victims of racism in the last five years.

Almost 40% parents in Ireland said their children had received offensive comments because of their ethnicity, substantially greater than the EU average of 23%.

What does being Black in the EU mean?
A new #EURightsAgency report reveals widespread racism, harassment & discrimination. It also points to rising inequalities at work, education & housing.
Use #OurDataYourAlly to #StopRacism.
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— EU Fundamental Rights ➡️ #HumanRights (@EURightsAgency) October 25, 2023

16% of parents said their children were isolated at playtimes, social events and friend circles,  compared to an EU average of 9%.

Ireland has the highest rate of children experiencing physical abuse such because of their ethnic background in the EU, at 23% compared to the EU average of 8%.

Almost half of people of African descent surveyed in the EU have experienced racism in the last five years, rising from 39% in 2016 to 45% in 2022. In Ireland this figure stands at 56%.

“Let us say this yet again: racism has no place in Europe,” said the agency’s director Michael O’Flaherty.

“Being confronted with the true scale of racism is both shocking and shameful. These findings should be a wakeup call for action on equality and inclusion for people of African descent.”

The agency’s formal stance is that EU member states should tighten up anti-discrimination legislation, implementing laws to prevent people being mistreated on the basis of race or ethnic origin.