Commission of inquiry into structural racism

Together with 131 migrant organizations, initiatives, and associations, we are supporting the resolution to establish a parliamentary commission of inquiry into structural racism in Berlin. On March 25, the resolution and the list of signatories will be presented to the parliamentary group leaders of the Berlin governing coalition in front of the House of Representatives.

The attack in Hanau a year ago showed once again that people with a migration background can become targets of attacks and discriminatory acts at any time.

Those affected by racism are constantly confronted with the delegitimization of their claims and rights, whether due to their skin color, headscarf, kippah, origin, or name. In their daily lives, they are frequently exposed to structural racism, for example, when they are denied access to employment, housing, or the healthcare system. These examples of structural racism are based on complex exclusion mechanisms that affect legal, economic, political, or social aspects.

For this reason, the Commissioner for Integration, Katarina Niewiedzial, together with the Working Group of Sinti and Roma, the Youth Migration Advisory Council of Berlin, the State Advisory Council for Integration and Migration Issues, and Muslim representatives from the Islam Forum Berlin, is calling for the establishment of a parliamentary commission of inquiry into structural racism in Berlin. Individual projects and programs are not enough to successfully dismantle deep-rooted structures. Berlin needs a city-wide strategy to combat structural racism.

The resolution will be presented on Thursday (March 25) by the Commissioner for Integration and Migration and representatives of the initial signatory migrant committees to the parliamentary group leaders of the Berlin governing coalition in front of the House of Representatives.

You can find the resolution here.