Increased protection for refugees: Fewer instances of aggression reported

Increased protection for refugees: Fewer instances of aggression reported

In recent months, Germany has seen a decrease in the number of first-time asylum applications, with a 50% drop in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year [1]. However, this decrease does not necessarily indicate a reduction in unreported crimes against asylum seekers and refugees.

Rising Xenophobia and Social Challenges

The increase in unreported crimes is influenced by multiple factors. Germany has experienced a sharp rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes, with incidents almost tripling from 898 in 2021 to over 3,000 in 2024 [2]. This rise is linked to far-right extremism and media silence that marginalizes victims, contributing to an environment of fear and mistrust among asylum seekers and refugees.

The arrival of large refugee groups, notably from Ukraine (over 1.2 million refugees by mid-2025) and other countries such as Syria and Turkey, has increased pressures on communities and social services, sometimes exacerbating social tensions [3][4].

Reporting Barriers

Refugees and asylum seekers often face language barriers, lack of trust in authorities, or fear of reprisals, leading to significant underreporting of crimes against them. This means official statistics may not fully capture the scale of victimization [5].

Crime Trends

Although hate crimes against Muslim communities surged sharply from 2022 through 2024 [2], crime targeting asylum seekers and refugees showed a decline in early 2025 outside concentrated living areas [6]. This suggests a complex trend possibly influenced by increased awareness, police efforts, or displacement of vulnerable groups.

Proposed Solutions

Addressing the increase in unreported crimes requires coordinated efforts in monitoring, legal protection, integration, and community engagement. Strengthening organizations like CLAIM that document hate crimes and providing multilingual support services can help bridge the gap in reporting and create safer environments for refugees to come forward [1].

Enhancing integration programs, anti-discrimination laws, and community policing that builds trust in state institutions among refugees and asylum seekers is also crucial [7]. Public awareness campaigns can help reduce stigmatization of refugees, combat far-right narratives, and promote inclusivity [8].

Legal reforms and deportation transparency can also reduce vulnerability to exploitation and abuse [9]. As Germany manages deportations and asylum procedures, transparent, fair processes that respect human rights are essential.

Political Response

Clara Buenger, interior policy spokesperson for the Left Party, believes that the decrease in crimes is no reason to let down our guard [10]. The preliminary police assessment suggests that the number of such crimes may increase as some may not be reported immediately or the motive may become clear later [11].

Buenger attributes the normalization of politically motivated crimes against refugees in Germany to a policy that labels refugees as a problem instead of addressing issues like housing shortages, poverty, over-indebted municipalities, and crumbling infrastructure [12].

Recent Developments

In the second quarter of 2025, seven rallies were held nationwide, organized or dominated by right-wing extremists in connection with the topic of immigration or asylum [13]. The decrease in asylum applications may be due to stationary controls at all German borders, measures taken by Balkan countries to reduce irregular migration, and the changed situation in Syria [14]. Fewer participants were reported at three rallies organized by neo-Nazi groups in North Rhine-Westphalia and Magdeburg [15].

In the first half of 2024, the police nationwide recorded 1,236 crimes against asylum seekers and refugees outside of refugee accommodations [16]. In the first half of 2025, the number of crimes targeting asylum seekers or recognized refugees outside of refugee accommodations decreased compared to the same period in 2024 [17]. The Left Party, in a request, received an overview of 648 documented crimes against asylum seekers and refugees outside of refugee accommodations in the first six months of 2025 [18]. The majority of these documented crimes were cases of property damage, insults, and incitement [19].

In conclusion, while there are signs of improvement in 2025, vigilance and sustained action remain essential to address the complex issue of unreported crimes against asylum seekers and refugees in Germany.