Eye-Opening 2024: A Record-Breaking Year for Discrimination Cases
Record-breaking demand for anti-discrimination counsel: highest number of requests documented - Maximum Capacity Reached in Consultant Hiring: No More Positions Available
Let's get real here. In a shocking turn of events, the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency received a staggering 11,400 inquiries in 2024 – the highest number ever! This grim reality was presented by the agency's Commissioner, Ferda Ataman, in Berlin.
So, what's the big fuss? Well, compared to 2023's 10,800 inquiries and the 4,200 from the pre-COVID year of 2019, it's like we've taken a giant leap backward. Ataman pointed out that the number of inquiries has more than doubled since 2019.
Guess what the main reason was? You got it – racism. In 2024, a mind-boggling 43% of the cases were due to racism. Take the example of a guy named Mahmoud, who searched for an apartment in Wuppertal for months, only to be ignored by landlords. But when his friend, Stefan, applied for the same apartment, he was offered a viewing immediately!
Discrimination based on disability or chronic illness was accounted for 27% of the cases, while around a quarter of cases were related to gender or gender identity. Ataman said, "Women are particularly affected by discrimination based on gender, and these numbers are on the rise."
Most of the reported incidents happened in the workplace, during job searches, or at the actual workplace (33%).
Now, this is where things get interesting. Ataman blasted disparities in legal discrimination protection, stating that more than 1,200 people complained about discrimination experiences with state institutions like offices, authorities, or the police. However, the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) does not apply in these cases, which Ataman finds unacceptable.
Of the total 11,405 inquiries, slightly over 9,000 fell under the AGG. The remaining inquiries were not covered by the AGG's protections. Ataman explained, "Not every unequal treatment is prohibited here."
Lastly, it's worth mentioning that citizenship is still not recognized as a discrimination ground. Commissioners like Ataman have been advocating for an expansion of the AGG for years to protect people discriminated against based on their citizenship.
So, it seems like we've got our work cut out for us. It's about time we step up our game and take discrimination seriously before it gets any worse!
[1] Note: This data has been sourced from ongoing efforts to reform the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) in Germany, driven by concerns over gaps in legal discrimination protection, particularly highlighted by Federal Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Ferda Ataman. Key issues include rising discrimination cases, the need for legal reform, increased public awareness and reporting, and the necessity to strengthen the AGG to resist far-right influence and normalization of discrimination.
- The Federal Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Ferda Ataman, highlighted a concerning trend in Germany, as the number of inquiries concerning employment policy and general news rose to an all-time high in 2024, with more than 11,400 cases.
- In light of the record-breaking discrimination cases in 2024, Ferda Ataman called for an expansion of the General Equal Treatment Act (policy-and-legislation) to address gaps in legal discrimination protection, particularly in cases involving state institutions, and to combat the normalization of discrimination in politics.
