The Danish Institute for Human Rights published the most comprehensive study of racism in Denmark to date, documenting perceived discrimination and prejudice. It is based on a questionnaire sent to almost 29 000 adults - who were either born in Denmark or arrived in the country as children and have third-country roots (eligibility was determined using the Danish category of “non-Western”*) - 4 263 of whom completed the entire questionnaire.
 
The report understands racism broadly as discrimination or prejudice based on ethnicity. It does not necessarily imply a conscious desire to place those belonging to an ethnic minority group at a disadvantage, but can also arise from misunderstandings, ignorance, and unnecessary generalisations. Whatever the cause, racism can have serious consequences for those affected by it, as described in the recent study of “minority stress” by the Equal Access association.
 
The study found that more than 4 in 5 people with an ethnic minority background have had experiences that can be characterised as illegal discrimination. For many there was not one isolated incident of discrimination, rather repeated negative experiences across the labour market, public spaces, and in contact with public authorities.

Key findings of the study include:

• 84% of people with an ethnical minority background state that they have experienced discrimination and prejudice due to their ethnic background.
• Those with certain visible characteristics that can distinguish them from 'the rest' of the Danish population (such as beards and headscarves) are more likely to report having experienced discrimination or prejudice.
• Around 1 in 3 (29%) state that they have been stopped by the police for no obvious reason other than their assumed ethnic background (this issue has been discussed in a previous article on EWSI).
• 12% stated that they have been subjected to violence or threats because of their ethnic background (hate crimes). These individuals stated that passers-by rarely intervene to help.
• Only 11% victims of discrimination state that they made an official complaint following an incident. This is mainly because many do not believe it would make a difference.
• 55% of those surveyed state that they have changed their behaviour in public spaces because of their ethnic background. Many adapt how they walk, talk, or appear, or avoid speaking their family’s native language in public. Several state that they have changed their name or that they avoid wearing religious symbols.
• 38% state that they are considering leaving Denmark because of their experiences with discrimination and prejudice.

The report is in Danish with an English summary. Its editor, Rasmus Brygger, can be contacted via rabr@humanrights.dk.

*NB: Denmark's population-related statistics generally distinguish between residents with a foreign background by categorising people has coming from either ‘Western’ or ‘non-Western’ countries. In the Danish context, 'Western countries' are understood to be all EU countries plus Andorra, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, United Kingdom, the United States and the Vatican. Those from any other country are defined as 'non-Western'. A person is not considered 'Danish' by Denmark's statistics body by virtue of holding a Danish passport, rather only if they have in addition at least one parent who is a Danish citizen and was born in Denmark.