Barcelona

Racism and xenophobia in Barcelona: prevailing reasons for discrimination

Expat news
In 2022, Barcelona witnessed 185 reported cases of discrimination, where racism and xenophobia remained the primary reasons for discrimination, continuing for the fifth consecutive year. Following closely were cases of LGBTI-phobia with 129 reported instances and health-related discrimination with 120 cases, showing a triple increase.

LGBTI-phobia figures remained consistent with previous years, with a total of 129 cases reported in 2022. Among them, 85 cases were related to sexual orientation, and 31 were against transsexual individuals, showing a decrease of 9 cases compared to the previous year. Verbal assaults accounted for 33% of the cases, while physical assaults constituted over 30% of the incidents. Most of these discriminatory situations occurred in public spaces, with 67% caused by individuals, amounting to 91 cases.

Discrimination based on health saw a significant rise, with 120 reported cases, particularly concerning mental health (70 cases) and HIV diagnoses (31 cases). The instances of coercive practices in mental healthcare, including involuntary admissions, verbal coercion, and exclusion, were higher, with most cases occurring in public administration settings (59 cases), followed by private organizations (43 cases) and individuals (19 cases).

To address these issues, the Office for Non-Discrimination (OND) and the SAVD Board's organizations provide comprehensive support, offering information, advice, counseling, training, and awareness-raising services to safeguard human rights at the local level. Throughout the year, they delivered 1,091 support and accompaniment services for victims and lodged a total of 130 complaints.

Through their support, counseling, and advocacy services, they strive to create a more inclusive and tolerant society, making steady progress in combating racism, xenophobia, and other forms of discrimination. Overall, Barcelona and Catalonia remain safe destinations, with a commitment to fostering diversity and respect for all individuals, ensuring a harmonious and welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.