In 2022, there were a total of 8,827 requests for advice on discrimination to the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency (ADS) in Germany. Compared to the previous year, the number of inquiries thus increased by 14 percent, and more than doubled compared to 2019. This is according to the annual report 2022, which the Independent Federal Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Ferda Ataman, presented this week.
With a share of 43 percent of inquiries, people most often reported racial discrimination. 27 percent of the cases related to discrimination on the basis of disability, 21 percent because of gender. 10 percent of the inquiries were about discrimination because of age. 5 percent of inquiries related to discrimination on the basis of religion, 1 percent to discrimination on the basis of world view. 4 percent of inquiries related to discrimination on the basis of sexual identity.
“More and more people are not accepting discrimination. The figures clearly show that. The fact that people have the courage to speak out about discrimination and seek help deserves our recognition. And it shows that awareness of anti-discrimination is growing among the population—an important sign of social maturity and integration,” said Ferda Ataman at the presentation of the report. She said she wanted to encourage people not to put up with discrimination. More people need to know that discrimination is forbidden.
Most people seeking advice experienced discrimination in the labor market (27 percent). A total of 25 percent of people were discriminated against in so-called everyday transactions, for example when looking for an apartment, but also when going to a restaurant, shopping or on the bus or train. The labor market and everyday transactions are the areas in which the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) applies and prohibits discrimination. People often experience unequal treatment in areas of life that are not protected by the AGG, for example at public offices and authorities, in the judiciary, education and the police. “Here, too, effective protection against discrimination must be introduced,” Ataman said, counting on the reform of the AGG envisaged in the coalition agreement.
The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) was introduced in 2006 and aims to “prevent and eliminate discrimination on the grounds of race or ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual identity.” The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency (ADS)—as an independent agency within the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs—supports and advises people who have experienced discrimination.
The team at the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency can be reached at 0800 546 546 5 from Monday to Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. One can also contact the ADS legal advice team directly via a contact form for specific legal questions and initial legal advice: Antidiscrimination Office—Contact form
To the text of the annual report: Antidiskriminierungsstelle—Aktuelle Meldungen—Jahresbericht 2022
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In Berlin ist der Sitz des Parlaments und der Regierung Deutschlands. Foto: tünews INTERNATIONAL / Mostafa Elyasian.
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