Discrimination against Muslims is rising in Europe, with difficulties accessing healthcare appointments and patients facing accusations that their symptoms are somehow “culturally induced”, the area's top human rights group said on Thursday.
The Council of Europe's antiracism commission (ECRI) annual report said there had been cases of discrimination against Muslim patients, with incidents including difficulties getting as much medical attention “as they would need”.
“By way of example, many Muslims, in particular women, have felt that they were treated disrespectfully and in a discriminatory manner by medical staff who allegedly suggested that their symptoms were somehow culturally induced,” says the report.
The report comes as support of the far-right is rising in Europe, with recent elections to the European Parliament demonstrating a shift in the 27-member bloc, as parties picked up seats in several member states.
In Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party rose to second place with about 16 per cent, ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats and its two ruling coalition partners.
In France, the rise in support was so stark it prompted President Emmanuel Macron to dissolve his national parliament and call a snap election, after results for France showed the far-right took a third of the 31 seats – more than double the score of Mr Macron's supporters, on 15 per cent.
The ECRI report highlighted the harm done by policies such as France’s decision to ban schoolgirls from wearing the abaya, over claims it violated the country’s principle of secularism. Germany’s third-largest state, Baden-Wuerttemberg, has also banned full-face coverings for all schoolchildren.
“Persons wearing visible religious symbols or traditional clothing were at times represented as being associated with terrorism or extremism. It has been particularly the case of Muslim schoolgirls in some countries," the report said.
“It has also appeared that, at times, Muslim pupils did not feel comfortable as they considered that they did not enjoy the same level of encouragement, positive expectations and support from their teachers as children belonging to the majority population.”
The number of hate incidents increased “manyfold” in the aftermath of Hamas’s attack against Israel on October 7, says the report.
“Muslims received blame for the attack and other attacks in the Middle East, based on stereotyping of whole communities and their perceived connections with the use of violence,” it adds.
ECRI expressed “serious concern” in the rise of anti-Muslim hatred and discrimination in Europe and called on Council of Europe member states to “make use” of its policies.
The report also highlighted an increase in anti-Semitism, with the number of incidents across several countries for the past three months “far exceeding” those usually reported for a whole year and in some cases, much higher.
According to ECRI, there were also some anti-Ukrainian hate incidents reported, but overall the public discourse remained of solidarity and support and hostile narratives, including by politicians, were more prevalent against people from other parts of the world.
Ukrainians who fled their homes to escape Russia's invasion also received better treatment than those displaced by other continuing wars and emergencies, says the report.
ECRI said all displaced people, irrespective of their nationality, skin colour or religion, should be offered adequate protection and support.
"The new normal should be to welcome all people from everywhere like Ukrainians (were welcomed)," Johan Friestedt, ECRI's executive secretary, told a news conference.
Asked if there was more solidarity towards Ukrainians because most were white, ECRI's chairman Bertil Cottier said: "When people are more or less like you, it's always easier."
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The five pillars of Islam
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On the menu
First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis
Dessert
▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate
▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream
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The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
THE SPECS
Touareg Highline
Engine: 3.0-litre, V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 340hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh239,312
The specs: 2018 Jeep Compass
Price, base: Dh100,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.4L four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 184bhp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 237Nm at 3,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.4L / 100km
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Sour%20Grapes
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The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
