E-BOOK: Migration Biographies - Europe on the move December 2020 | Page 39

Programme Erasmus + Europe on the move : Migration Biographies
Theses
Equal Treatment Act ". In both countries , the general population developed dislikes against migrants , the legislation of both countries , by adopting laws , was directed against this dislike but without much success . An obvious difference between France and Germany is that in Germany the frequency of racial incidents can be defined by regions , this is not the case in France . In Germany , the percentage of racial clashes is distinctly higher in the east than in the west . It should be noted that especially in the eastern part of Germany fewer migrants are registered than in the western part of Germany . This suggests that racism is not necessarily triggered by migrant misconduct , but in many places only by the population ' s fear of foreign people .
Regardless of national laws , all EU Member States have adopted the “ International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination ( ICERD )". Despite the large number of legal instruments in place to protect people against racism and all forms of intolerance , ethnic and religious minorities throughout the EU face discrimination , racism and verbal and physical violence . 92
6 . Conclusion : The road to a successful integration
Despite the different historical backgrounds , France and Germany are quite similar in their social and political behaviour towards migration and migrants . The two countries have always had to fight against anti-Semitism and racism . Surprisingly Abdelhadi Touti was not affected by racial attacks either verbal or physical . This may be because Abdelhadi immigrated with a different status and at a much earlier time . He did not go to France as a guest worker , but as a student and therefore moved in a completely different circle of society .
Especially in Germany he was warmly welcomed . Abdelhadi lived in a small village where people showed more interest than dislike for him .
My personal opinion is that the rising influence of right-wing political parties is due to a larger portion of the population having prejudices and making generalizations which denies migrants the opportunity to gain access into the society of their new country .
For a successful migration and integration there must be a give and take . Migrants should be warmly welcomed and their integration encouraged . Migrants on the other hand should be open to the culture and laws of their new chosen country . Tolerance and understanding are necessary on both sides .
92 European Union Agency for Fundamental rights : Rassismus und damit zusammenhängende Intoleranz https :// fra . europa . eu / de / theme / rassismus-und-damitzusammenhangende-intoleranz ( Last viewed : 25.10.2019 )
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