Written by Katharina Demoni
(Reuters) – Racial inequalities in some European countries cannot be addressed if the legacy of colonialism and slavery is ignored, a report by a network of anti-racism groups in the European Union said on Wednesday.
The report, “Europe’s Original Sin,” analyzed the historical use by six former colonial powers—Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain—of policies and legislation that excluded ethnic groups, and their lingering impact today.
The Brussels-based European Network Against Racism said these policies and exploitation of resources and labour contributed to the economic growth of former colonial powers and prevented blacks from accessing wealth.
In the Netherlands, which forcibly transported more than half a million Africans across the Atlantic, slavery was a lucrative enterprise. By 1770, slavery-related activities accounted for 5.2 percent of GDP, according to the report.
In Portugal, which traded with some six million Africans, more than any other European country, the empire’s economic impact reached a significant level around 1800.
“When tracing the historical trajectories of colonialism, slavery and abuse in Europe, it becomes clear that these entrenched systems have left a lasting mark on the social and economic landscape of Europe,” the report said, adding that many still face racial discrimination in education, employment, social services and finance.
In France, the poverty rate among people of African origin is 39.5%, more than double the rate among people of European origin. The wage gap persists elsewhere, too. Racism and discrimination are also evident in mortgage approvals, financial ratings by banks, and geographic exclusion, the report found.
Among its many recommendations, the European Network Against Racism called for mandatory anti-racism training for financial and banking institutions, as well as for those responsible for designing and implementing social welfare policies.
“Understanding the colonial legacy is essential to formulating policies that address historical injustice,” the report said.
She also stressed that any reparations for slavery and colonialism must recognize the direct links between current economic conditions and past colonial exploitation. School curricula must also raise awareness of this.
The issue of reparations to address historical wrongs has long been divisive but has gained momentum, with many institutions such as the Church of England and some countries acknowledging their past.