Spain seems very far from the wave of xenophobia and racism, which according to all experts and some election results, has exploded across Europe in the last year. The citizenship of this country does not perhaps have that same feeling, the most radical parties do not reach a great public visibility to foment the hatred and discrimination to the level of what some European leaders of France, the United Kingdom, Holland or Switzerland do, but the data of the RAXEN Report says that in 2016 Spain has witnessed an “alarming” increase in hate speech.
“We are worried about the records we have detected in Valencia, Madrid, Catalonia and Andalusia, which are still the 4 communities with the most records of incidents and facts of racism and xenophobia. But the most alarming thing is perhaps the presence of hate speech on the Internet and in social networks where a climate of xenophobia, Islamophobia, homophobia and also general intolerance is being encouraged.
Since 1995, the organization has monitored incidents or events related to racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, hate against Roma, homophobia and other forms of intolerance. In this RAXEN 2016, 500 confirmed or documented incidents are verified, compared to the 452 that they gathered in the report of 2015, when there was evidence of 284 aggressions and 136 incitement to hatred.
“We call attention to the institutions to be more proactive,” claims the organization in this report that began precisely in 1995, “as a result of the serious assaults and killings carried out by neo-Nazi groups, consolidating through the years and offering an essential data contribution to investigate, analyze and even propose policies of criminal prevention and support to victims.
The RAXEN 2016 report states that in Spain, “although with a better situation than other European countries”:
1.- The presence of the “hate speech” (Hate Speech) on the Internet and social networks, where racism, xenophobia, anti-semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia and other forms of intolerance are encouraged.
2 .- There continue to be numerous attacks by racist individuals or neo-Nazi groups against immigrants, Muslims, homosexuals and other citizens.
3.- Incidents of xenophobia and other manifestations of intolerance against immigrants, Roma and other people with religious and social diversity grow socially. (Estimated 4,000-6,500 facts)
4 .- There are xenophobic groups in our cities that occupy buildings and use “hunger and food” excluding immigrants, in addition to stirring against Muslims and democratic coexistence.
5.- The ultras in the soccer fields continue being a breeding ground of racist and neo-Nazi groups. Many of the violent assaults and confrontations take place in its surroundings.
6.- The message of xenophobic populism and extremist European organizations is spread by Spanish rightwing.
THE FIGURES OF HATE IN SPAIN: ANNUAL DATA ESTIMATED BY MOVEMENT AGAINST INTOLERANCE
About 4,000 incidents and assaults per year.
Racist and xenophobic groups in all Autonomous Communities.
More than 1,000 xenophobic and intolerant “sites” (websites, blogs, channels, forums, networks …).
Dozens of Neofascist music concerts every year.
More than 10,000 ultras and neo-Nazis in Spain.
More than 90 people killed since 1992, the hate crime victims.
Cadena Ser