Switzerland recorded a large increase in racist and xenophobic incidents in 2024, in particular attacks on Muslims and Arabs, according to official statistics published today.

About 1,211 cases of racial discrimination were reported last year, including rhetorical hatred, physical attacks, threats and other biased breed or religion behaviors, an increase of about 40% compared to the previous year, according to the Federal Committee against Racism (EKR).

Such incidents have been steadily increasing for several years in this rich Alpine country, which has a population of almost nine million, about 40% of which are foreigners.

However, the increase observed last year was “particularly important,” EKR said in a joint announcement with the Swiss NGO Humanrights.

According to these two sources, various factors can explain this increase, including the increase in geopolitical tensions, the growing polarization of public dialogue and the highest discrimination of discrimination.

The most commonly mentioned incidents relate to xenophobic discrimination and discrimination against blacks, which account for 65% of all cases.

Discrimination against Muslims and Arabs increased more than in 2023, with a total of more than 350 cases, the announcement said.

Nearly 80 cases of anti -Semitic attacks were also reported along with 66 cases of anti -Semitism.

Most of the incidents were verbal attacks, but about 100 physical attacks were also reported.

Rhetoric incidents show the largest increase with 149 complaints in 2024.

In addition, more than 400 cases of derogatory comments, nearly 300 cases of insults and more than 100 cases of threats were reported.

Nearly a fifth of the recorded reports occurred in an educational context, mainly a school, according to the report.