Germany | HCRW

Germany regularly reports hate crime data to ODIHR. Close collaboration with civil society in the area of hate crime victim support has been established at the level of federal states, namely with the Weisser Ring civil society organization (CSO) and a number of specialized CSOs. The Federal Ministry of Justice and the Federal Victims' Commissioner are in regular contact with a number of victim support institutions and victims' representatives. Germany has conducted victimization surveys to measure under-reported hate crimes. The most recent report covering 2012-2017 is available here.

In 2021, ODIHR, together with Federal Ministries, organized a virtual study visit to Germany on strengthening co-operation between the Government and civil society on hate crime victim support.

The German government funds several organizations and projects to monitor hate incidents and assist hate crime victims. These include the Competence Network Against Antisemitism (KOMPAS), which consists of five experienced civil society organizations that register anti-Semitic incidents and develop measures to prevent anti-Semitism. The government also funds the Competence Network on Hate on the Net, which advises victims of hate speech, strengthens civil society networks, and develops media literacy materials.

SELECT YEAR

Download the 2009 hate crime report for Germany

OFFICIAL DATA REPORTED BY STATES

Year	Hate crimes recorded by police	Prosecuted	Sentenced
2023	17,007	Not available	Not available
2022	11,520	Not available	Not available
2021	10,501	Not available	Not available
2020	10,240	Not available	Not available
2019	8,585	-	-
2018	8,113	Not available	Not available
2017	7,913	Not available	Not available
2016	3,598	Not available	Not available
2015	3046	Not available	Not available
2014	3059	Not available	Not available
2013	4647	Not available	Not available
2012	4514	Not available	Not available
2011	4040	Not available	Not available
2010	3770	Not available	Not available
2009	4583	Not available	Not available

About 2009 Data

Police figures include hate crimes, incitement to hatred and propaganda offences. Prosecution and sentencing figures only include incitement to hatred and propaganda crimes, and are therefore not included.

Download official data

National developments

In August 2009, the Bundestag, Germany’s federal parliament, established an independent panel of experts on anti-Semitism, the Expertengremium zur Bekämpfung des Antisemitismus.

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs instituted a programme to steer youth away from right-wing extremist groups and the potential they represent for violence by offering vocational training and relocation opportunities for persons wanting to disassociate from such groups.

KEY OBSERVATION

No information is available.

Incidents reported by civil society, international organizations and the Holy See

Reports

Hate crime against Christians and members of other religions

The Holy See reported an assault against an Orthodox priest. According to the report, the perpetrator was convicted and sentenced. The Holy See also reported that a Protestant chapel was set on fire, and that the case was recorded by the police.

Disability hate crime

RAA Saxony reported six instances of disability crimes in Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Lower Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.

Racist and xenophobic hate crime

RAA Saxony reported 68 cases of racist violence in Saxony. Their network of advisory offices recorded a combined 222 incidents of hate crimes in Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Lower Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. The majority of these were cases of assault. The Heidelberger Forum for Politics and Science reported one assault and property damage targeting members of the Turkish community.

Anti-Semitic hate crime

The Amadeu Antonio Foundation reported 42 incidents, including two assaults, 30 cases of vandalism (including five instances where cemeteries were desecrated, 12 cases of the vandalization of synagogues and 12 of monuments), and ten cases of verbal abuse and threats. RAA Saxony reported 26 incidents in Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Lower Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. RAA Saxony also reported three incidents of assault in Saxony. The Stephen Roth Institute reported 33 violent incidents.

Anti-Muslim hate crime

The Turkish Community in the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region reported five cases of physical assault, 24 instances of arson, three acts of vandalism, an incident in which a mosque was defaced with graffiti, and two threats. The investigations into these incidents were ongoing at the time this report was prepared. The Heidelberger Forum for Politics and Science also provided information regarding the above-mentioned murder.

Anti-LGBTI hate crime

RAA Saxony reported 14 alleged hate crimes against LGBT persons in Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Lower Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.

Developments

Racist and xenophobic hate crime

RAA Saxony supported victims of hate crimes by providing psychological and social support and legal representation.

INTERNATIONAL REPORTS

Racist and xenophobic hate crime, Anti-Muslim hate crime

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) strongly encouraged the German authorities to “take a more comprehensive approach to the phenomenon of racist, xenophobic and antisemitic violence”. It also raised concerns over anti-Semitism and intolerance and discrimination against Muslims.