Europe Struggles to Achieve Anti-Racism Goals

The European Commission recently unveiled a new anti-racism strategy, a move occurring amidst ongoing societal challenges and unresolved historical legacies. The strategy’s effectiveness hinges on whether it will fundamentally influence core EU policies and leadership.

Rising Concerns and Vulnerable Communities

Far-right ideologies are gaining traction across Europe, impacting various communities. Black individuals face heightened policing concerns, Muslim communities experience increased surveillance, Roma families struggle to access basic necessities, Jewish communities are confronting rising violence, and indigenous populations face exploitation of their territories. These issues require urgent attention and integration into the EU agenda to dismantle racism and advance racial justice.

Systemic Racism and Policy Implications

The strategy has been criticized for overlooking the systemic nature of racism, which operates through Europe’s economic model, migration systems, defense and security infrastructures, and external actions. A 2025 EU consultation revealed that 56 percent of respondents advocated for mainstreaming anti-racism in migration policies, while 71 percent emphasized the need to acknowledge the historical roots of racism. The strategy’s language of “inclusion and equality” is seen as insufficient without confronting structural, institutional, and intersectional violence.

Shrinking Civic Space and Marginalization

Organizations led by racialized people and those supporting migrants are facing increased defunding, threats, and criminalization. This trend, mirroring a climate of suspicion towards solidarity and human rights advocacy, is not adequately addressed within the strategy. The European Network Against Racism (ENAR), a leading anti-racism network, has also experienced increased scrutiny and instrumentalization.

A Test for EU Democracy

The EU’s commitment to anti-racism is being questioned, particularly given the simultaneous retreat from solidarity, social and climate protection, and civic freedoms. For the strategy to be meaningful, racial justice must shape challenging policy areas, and civil society actors must be actively protected. Failure to do so risks reinforcing perceptions that equality is prioritized in rhetoric while exclusion is enforced in practice.

The Future of the EU

The future of the EU is linked to its ability to prioritize safety, protection, and care for all, rather than security and repression. A decade of performative anti-racism while far-right ideologies strengthen is deemed unacceptable. The strategy must serve as a reckoning with the past and a roadmap for greater justice.