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Rise in hate speech linked to burka debate and Ramadan, new report finds
Sharp increase in online abuse comes as political tensions grow over face covering measures in Spain
Hate speech targeting people of foreign origin rose sharply in Spain in February, with new data pointing to a link between online hostility and recent political and social debates around migration, religion and dress.According to monitoring by the Spanish Observatory of Racism and Xenophobia (OBERAXE), 57% of reported messages on social media dehumanised migrants, marking a 14 percentage point increase compared to January. The organisation identified more than 37,000 pieces of content across platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and YouTube.
The report highlights several factors behind the surge. The increase coincided with debates over a possible ban on the burka and niqab, alongside the start of Ramadan and government plans to regularise migrants (March 12 article). Islamophobic content in particular doubled compared to the previous month, with 30% of messages targeting Muslims.
Most of the content analysed was described as explicitly aggressive. OBERAXE noted that 95% of messages included language that “incites violence and promotes social polarisation,” while smaller proportions used irony, coded language or images to spread discriminatory narratives. In total, fewer than half of the reported posts, 45%, were removed by platforms.
The debate around face coverings has intensified in recent weeks across different parts of Spain. Earlier this month, regional lawmakers in Murcia rejected a proposal to ban the burka in public spaces, reflecting divisions over how to approach the issue. That followed similar discussions at national level, where Spain’s Congress agreed to debate a possible nationwide ban on the burka and niqab.
Local decisions have also drawn attention. In February, a town in Almería introduced restrictions on face coverings during Ramadan, sparking controversy over both timing and intent.
More recently, the Ayuntamiento in Seville has approved a proposal to regulate access to municipal buildings where full facial covering prevents identification. The measure, supported by the Partido Popular and Vox, applies to any garment that obscures the face, regardless of whether it is worn for religious reasons.
Supporters argue the proposal is based on security considerations. One councillor stated it is “a functional requirement… regardless of the origin, motivation or meaning of the garment.” However, opposition groups have strongly criticised the move. Socialist councillor Sonia Gaya said the measure reflects “an unreal problem,” while others described it as discriminatory and lacking legal basis.
As the debate continues, the latest figures suggest that discussions around migration, religion and public policy are increasingly reflected in online behaviour, with a measurable rise in hostile and polarising content.
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