Focus group provides forum for Muslim women to discuss their experiences of discrimination and hate crimes

During the meeting, participants shared accounts of disturbing experiences from their lives, ranging from insults to harassment and physical assaults, and the traumatic effect these have had on them and their children, who are often witnesses to these incidents. Many also spoke of the common bias against Muslim women based on the association of wearing a hijab with oppression and submission, and how this assumption is widely used to discriminate against them.

“Unfortunately, Muslim women generally do not report hate crimes and incidents to the authorities, because they are often actively discouraged from doing so,” said Floriane Hohenberg, Head of ODIHR’s Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department. “This contributes to the marginalization of entire groups in our societies, and ODIHR is focusing on this issue to support governments and civil society in their efforts to address hate crimes and discrimination effectively.” 

Malika Hamidi, Director General of the European Muslim Network, stressed that “discrimination against Muslim women has to be tackled at both the grassroots and the political levels. The political class often struggles to accept Muslim women who wear a hijab as political leaders, human rights activists, democrats and feminists.”

Although there is little robust and reliable evidence about anti-Muslim hate crimes in the OSCE region, ODIHR’s annual hate crime report has revealed that anti-Muslim hate crimes and incidents reported frequently target women.

The focus group event is part of ODIHR’s ongoing activities to address anti-Muslim bias and prejudice, including through support to civil society, awareness raising, education and the training of law enforcement agencies.