Hate crime and the far-right in Europe

Abstract

Hate crimes and far-right, two terms which are used together regularly, yet their concepts are sometimes misunderstood. Due to a lack of a standardised definition, hate crime statistics for the EU are full of gaps leading to a lack of understanding the full situation. Far-right groups are often called by different names with different terminology, such as radical right, extreme right, right-wing populism. Due to ongoing situations within the EU, such as the migrant crisis, these groups are currently seeing a rise in popularity. Literature was reviewed in order understand the components of hate crime and a far-right party. Then the current situations of both concepts in Europe were explored to see how they stand and what is being done. Large gaps were found in regards to data collected on hate crimes around Europe, leaving an inability to compare across nations. Far-right groups were found to have experienced a surge in popularity in election between 2002-2018. Links between the two, such as immigration and right-wing terrorism, were then examined. Which found that there is an influence between the two. The aim of the research was to understand public opinion on the current and future situations of hate crime and the far-right within both Malta and the EU, and also to see what opinion is on situations that may link hate crime and the far-right together. The methodology used to conduct the research was through a self-administered online questionnaire. Data gathered confirmed that public opinion was aware to an extent of the status of the situation in both Malta and the EU. Data also suggested rise in hate crime in Malta.