Intolerance and discrimination towards Muslims has risen in western Europe since the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, a report by a human rights group said Monday. "As the perceived threat of religious extremism has been given wide attention in public debate, pre-existing prejudices and discrimination against Muslims have been reinforced," said the Helsinki International Federation of Human Rights (IFH).
"Muslims have increasingly felt that they are viewed with distrust and hostility and that they are stigmatised because of their beliefs."
The IFH reported increases in verbal and physical attacks on Muslims and Muslim institutions and property, unbalanced and stereotypical media portrayals of Muslims as "aliens" and an "enemy within", discrimination in employment and aggressive political rhetoric by popular right-wing parties.
"No country has escaped this phenomenon," said IFH president Ulrich Fishcer, referring to the federation's member countries - Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Britain and Sweden.
"The situation is getting worse and is marked by regular upsurges, as happened during the passing of the law in France against the wearing of the veil by Muslims in schools or the murder of (Dutch film maker) Theo van Gogh," said IFH director, Aaron Rhodes.
The report said it had become "more 'legitimate' to openly express hostility against Muslims in the post-September 11 period, and it is now possible to publicly use intolerant language against Muslims in a way that was not previously acceptable".
The report warned that "the fact that Muslims have increasingly experienced hostility, discrimination and exclusion since September 11 may enhance their susceptibility to propaganda by organisations that advocate violent methods".
"It is only by scrupulously defending the rights of their Muslim minorities that the EU member states can retain the confidence of these minorities and fruitfully promote their integration in the long run," the IFH said.
The IFH groups 44 human rights organisations from the country members of the European Organisation of Security and Co-operation.