- The Basque Government has reported on the hate crimes recorded by the Ertzaintza in 2022: 438 facts in total, 57% more than in 2021. Crimes related to racism and xenophobia remain the most widespread, followed by those related to sexual orientation or sexual identity. Most criminals are CAPV men.
Since the beginning of the report on hate crimes in 2016, the number has increased exponentially and the jump has been particularly marked between 2021 and 2022 (see graph). Not only to the proliferation of hate crimes, but also to “greater social awareness and less tolerance”, said Security Advisor Josu Erkoreka.
Racism, xenophobia and LGBTBIphobia
Following the trend of previous years, most are crimes motivated by xenophobia and racism (231 cases, 42.6% more than in 2021) and, again, Arab people have suffered the greatest discrimination.
The second highest number of victims is sexual orientation aggressors, 96 cases, 31.5% more than in 2021. At a long distance there are other sources of hatred: ideology or political orientation, functional pluralism, age, sociophobia…
Concerning hate crimes, the Ertzaintza arrested 44 people last year and charged 246. Criminals have been mainly men of the CAPV. The victims have suffered mainly injuries, threats and coercion in this order. And those who have suffered the most injuries, threats and coercion have once again been victims of racism and xenophobia.
According to Josu Erkoreka, the adoption of immediate preventive measures politically to prevent hate crimes is "very difficult", adding that with groups suffering aggression, emphasis must be placed on educational and awareness-raising measures to help denounce the facts they suffer.