EU human rights agency: rise in anti-migrant attacks across Europe

A European Union human rights agency on Friday said that racist attacks and legal obstacles are an increasing problem for the international community's ever-growing migrant population.

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) report came as EU leaders gathered in Bratislava to discuss possible reforms for the bloc.

Martina Huber, a co-author of the report told EFE that they had documented a clear increase in the number of hate crimes being committed against migrant communities.

The report detailed Nazi graffiti in Austria, an increase of online racist comments on social networks in Bulgaria as well as the Hungarian government's desire to classify immigration as a threat to society.

In Germany, attacks against refugees occur daily, while incidents at asylum centers are recorded every three days, said the anti-racist Amadeu Antonio Foundation.

"Many cases go unreported," explained the FRA, "especially because the victims are afraid of the police."

It added that many refugees do not want to report the crime in fear that it may affect their asylum status, which can take a long-time to process.

Germany registered 31 injuries in 25 attacks against refugees or asylum centers in Aug alone.

Huber said that the increase in migrant numbers bears no relation to the rise in attacks, but rather that they were a result of a polarized society propagated by the messages of certain political parties.

Although migrant numbers in 2016 have yet to reach those registered during the waves of people entering the EU in autumn and winter last year, Europe remains the target destination for many refugees.

Entries into Bulgaria, for example, doubled in Aug compared to the figures registered in July.

In the same month, 17,400 people arrived on the coast of Italy, while 11,300 have set up camp on the islands of Greece, the report said.

Most of the refugees entering the east of Europe are fleeing war torn countries such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, whereas many of those crossing the Mediterranean Sea are fleeing persecution in Nigeria, Sudan and Eritrea.

Source: EFE