European Union Official: Racism Still Deeply Rooted Across Continent

The EU's top anti-racism coordinator warned that structural discrimination continues to plague European institutions and society. Speaking at a conference in Amsterdam, Michaela Moua cited data showing nearly half of people of African descent in Europe report experiencing discrimination.

AMSTERDAM – The European Union’s coordinator for combating racism delivered a stark warning Saturday that discriminatory practices continue to permeate institutions throughout the continent, calling on leaders to address the region’s colonial past.

Speaking at an Amsterdam conference focused on racial issues, Michaela Moua highlighted troubling statistics from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights revealing that approximately half of African-descended residents within EU borders report experiencing discriminatory treatment. Many qualified individuals with college educations still encounter significant employment obstacles, she noted.

During her address to the symposium attendees, Moua emphasized that eliminating these persistent disparities represents a fundamental requirement for maintaining democratic values.

“Racism is not a relic of the past. It’s a living structure. It’s very tangible for many of us. We feel and we sense the urgency, especially in these political times,” Moua stated, emphasizing the critical need for improved data collection on equality metrics, as member nations continue to show significant variation in gathering racial and ethnic information.

The coordinator outlined how the organization’s recently developed anti-discrimination framework seeks to strengthen implementation of current legislation, enhance national response plans, and address prejudicial practices within government agencies.

However, the January-adopted initiative has faced pushback from advocacy organizations. The European Network Against Racism has criticized the approach, arguing it lacks meaningful dedication to restorative justice or addressing the lasting impacts of Europe’s historical actions.