The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency received more inquiries than ever before last year. This emerges from a report presented by the Independent Federal Commissioner for Anti-Discrimination Ferda Ataman in Berlin. The most common people who have come forward have been racist or discriminated against because of their disability. There were almost 9,000 requests for advice last year. This is an increase of around 14 percent compared to the previous year, and even doubled compared to pre-pandemic values.
“As anti-discrimination officer, I’m observing with great concern a return of resentment in political debates and an unprecedented wave of hatred on the internet,” says Ferda Ataman, who also heads the anti-discrimination agency. Transphobia, anti-Semitism and hatred of Muslims and Roma are often more concentrated than before. There are so many inquiries that the anti-discrimination agency cannot advise everyone. And: Ataman speaks of the tip of the iceberg.
Ataman emphasizes the need for reform of the Equal Treatment Act
Although the numerous inquiries do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about an increase in discrimination in Germany, Ataman recognizes a growing awareness of anti-discrimination. “More and more people are finding out about their rights, more and more people have the courage to address discrimination,” says Ataman. She appeals to political parties to take up this attitude from the population. “Anti-discrimination doesn’t divide, it unites.”
More than 6,600 inquiries last year related to discrimination characteristics against which the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) protects. These include age, disability, gender, religion, sexual identity as well as racist and anti-Semitic discrimination. The law applies to incidents on the labor market or in the area of so-called everyday business – such as shopping or looking for an apartment. In these cases, the anti-discrimination agency can advise those affected.
However, more than 2000 inquiries related to discrimination characteristics that the AGG does not name. There are also cases that take place in areas of life that have not been covered by the law so far – such as authorities, offices or the police. Discrimination in government agencies now accounts for a fifth of all inquiries, but the hands of the anti-discrimination agency are tied in these cases.
For this reason, Ataman emphasizes the need for reform of the Equal Treatment Act. In addition to extending the scope to state authorities, she advocates including other forms of discrimination. In addition, hurdles are to be removed; so far, for example, the short deadlines for reporting discrimination have prevented those affected from doing so.
The reform is included in the coalition agreement between the traffic light parties, and Ataman expects the first steps to be taken this year. In order to expand the nationwide anti-discrimination advice, she also announced a funding program of five million euros, the largest program of its kind in Germany to date.