Spain Sees Decrease in Hate Crimes but Persistent Issues Remain

In 2024, Spain reported a total of 1,955 criminal offenses and hate incidents, reflecting a decrease of 138 incidents compared to 2023. Nearly half of these crimes were attributed to racism and xenophobia; however, the report noted a significant rise in crimes related to anti-Semitism. This analysis was shared by the head of the Ministry of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, who presented the findings during an extraordinary meeting aimed at tackling hate crimes, particularly in response to disturbances observed in Torre Pacheco, Murcia. The statistics indicate that the decrease in hate crimes marks a halt to an upward trend previously recorded in 2023. That year, the number of offenses had risen to 2,268, which represented a 23% increase over 2022, when only 1,869 incidents were recorded. While the drop in criminal offenses is viewed positively, Grande-Marlaska expressed concern that many victims still hesitate to report these incidents, with racism and xenophobia remaining prevalent issues in society. Specifically, reported crimes targeting racism and xenophobia totaled 804 in 2024, showing a significant 60.7% decrease from the previous year. Other notable categories included incidents based on sexual orientation and gender identity, which saw 528 reported cases, and sex/gender discrimination with 181 incidents. In terms of shifts in specific types of hate crimes, there was a 60% increase in anti-Semitic offenses, a 33% rise in aporophobia (discrimination against people experiencing poverty), and a 7% increase in crimes motivated by religious beliefs. This report is significant as it marks the first inclusion of Islamophobia-related hate crimes, with 13 cases documented, aligning with EU recommendations. The report also highlighted that 12.9% of victims were minors, and state security forces successfully resolved 719 cases, a four-point improvement over the prior year, resulting in 905 individuals being arrested or investigated for hate crimes. Most assailants in these cases were men, particularly those aged between 26 and 40. Furthermore, the nationality demographics revealed that the bulk of both the perpetrators and victims were Spanish. Among foreign nationals, Moroccans, Colombians, and Romanians were the most frequently involved in these incidents. In total, 60.1% of victims were Spanish, with Moroccan nationals suffering the highest rate of victimization. In terms of regional statistics, Navarra emerged with the highest rate of hate crimes per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by the Basque Country, the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla. While the decline in hate crimes may be encouraging, it also underscores the ongoing challenges faced by many individuals in these communities. The report serves as a reminder of the importance of continued vigilance and action against hate in all forms. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2