PERCEPTIONS OF DISCRIMINATION AMONG TURKISH CITIZENS LIVING IN EUROPE: A CASE STUDY IN SWITZERLAND AND FRANCE

This study addresses the core issue of perceptions of discrimination and their relationship with religion among people of Turkish origin living in Switzerland and France. To examine this problem, the sample was selected from France, which was noted for its prominent discriminatory attitudes among Western European countries, and Switzerland, which was described as having a more democratic social structure. In this context, the study investigates the effects of religious affiliation and ethnic identity on perceptions of discrimination among these individuals, comparing the perceptions of immigrants living in the two countries. In this regard, one year of research and observation activities was conducted in Switzerland with the support of TUBITAK. A qualitative research method and phenomenological research design were employed to achieve richer content through in-depth interviews. To obtain a more comprehensive dataset aligned with the research objectives, maximum variation sampling, snowball/chain sampling strategies, and sub-strategies of purposive sampling were utilized. Semi-structured interview forms were used for data collection. In line with the determined sampling strategies, interviews were conducted with selected participants, and the process continued until sufficient data richness was achieved. Participants were informed that their interviews would be recorded using an audio device and that their identities would remain confidential. Before the interviews, participants were asked to review the interview form. To ensure confidentiality, participants were assigned anonymous names. In this context, interviews were conducted with 55 individuals from different social strata, including 30 participants from France (17 men and 13 women) and 25 from Switzerland (17 men and 8 women). The data obtained were coded and analyzed using the MAXQDA 24 software package. The findings reveal that almost all participants exhibit perceptions of discrimination. These perceptions are discussed in dimensions such as employment, neighborly and friendship relations, education, and media.