Study: Racism in authorities often hidden in structures

A study shows that racism in German authorities rarely manifests itself in open hostility. Rather, it is hidden in routines, decision-making scope and organizational structures. This is confirmed by the study "Institutions and Racism" (InRa), funded by the Federal Ministry of the Interior. It is the most comprehensive empirical study to date on racism in state institutions, according to the University of Leipzig, which led the study.

Over a period of three years, researchers at ten locations examined job centers, immigration authorities, police, justice, health, youth and public order offices as well as social work. Four federal authorities were also scrutinized in a sub-project. In total, the joint study consists of 23 individual projects.

Racist discrimination at various levels

The results showed that racist discrimination can be detected at individual, institutional and structural levels - albeit in different forms and intensities. Racist discrimination can be seen, for example, in the individual attitudes of individual employees, in official practices and discretionary powers or in the handling of complaints.

The researchers made 17 recommendations for action. These include independent complaints offices, the expansion of the Equal Treatment Act, mandatory racism-critical training, more transparency in official decisions and targeted support for employees from discriminated groups.

The study (2021-2024) was funded by the Federal Ministry of the Interior with six million euros. The entire spectrum of methods from the social sciences and humanities was used: quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, group discussions, participant observation in public authorities, discourse and content analyses as well as comparative document analyses.