Migrants' experiences of racism and discrimination in Luxembourg. Rapport commandité par l'EUMC.

The survey on migrants' experiences of racism and discrimination measures the perceptions of the resident foreign population on racism and discrimination, because of nationality or ethnic origins. This research is the first of its type that has taken place in Luxembourg. In May-June 2005, a representative sample of 5117 foreign residents, aged from 18 to 60, was mailed a questionnaire. The following four groups were asked to participate: ? the Portuguese with a white, European and Catholic economic immigration, ? citizens of the former Republic of Yugoslavia being economic immigrants from the 1970ies onwards, but also asylum seekers with a quite important share of Muslims, ? the Cap Verdeans as the largest identifiable 'racial' group of economic immigrants, ? the Belgians as a contrast group with a well-off population having lived in close neighbourhood relations with Luxembourg for decades. Different areas of everyday life have been investigated: employment, school, entry to shops, restaurants, administration, etc. The content of the questionnaire was to a large extent determined by a European questionnaire. A few minor modifications were nonetheless made in order to adapt the questionnaire to the specific situation of Luxembourg. The main purpose of the study was to differentiate each community from the other. The research question is: Do these four communities perceive equally that they are victims of discrimination based upon ethnic origin? We had the perception that there are no clear trends and tendencies. Nevertheless, the Cap Verdeans declared to be more often discriminated than the other nationalities. The 'visible' character of their foreign origins has been deemed responsible for the higher discrimination they suffer from in public areas. Secondly, we have been unable to differentiate the level of discrimination experienced by the three other communities. However, it seems that they suffer in different situations: ? the Yugoslavs more often perceive discrimination in their contacts with the social services and in their search of housing; ? the Portuguese in their contact with the Police and the social insurance office; ? the Belgians in restaurants and shops- we could conclude that the Belgians have a higher political awareness concerning their rights as EU citizens and hence perceive 'easier and quicker' acts of discrimination.