Barcelona prosecutors report 80% rise in Islamophobia

The Barcelona Prosecutor's Office has reported a significant increase in hate crimes, specifically noting an approximately 80% rise in Islamophobia. According to Marta Gloria López Catalá, the delegated prosecutor for hate and discrimination crimes, this trend is attributed to growing social tension.

This marks the first year that Islamophobia has been categorized as a specific motive, as it was previously grouped under religious, ethnic, or national origin discrimination. While Islamophobia has become the leading motive for hate speech investigations in the Barcelona area, other forms of discrimination show varying trends: discrimination based on sexual orientation remains the most frequent cause for crimes involving humiliation or discredit, though it saw a slight decrease in certain categories.

Prosecutors noted that 99% of hate speech is disseminated via the internet and social media, often utilizing anonymity. The investigations involve a range of actors, from anonymous users to individuals with influential positions in political or religious groups. Additionally, there has been a detected uptick in antisemitism regarding the denial of services.