Internet hostility and calls to action escalate, with approximately 3,000 fresh instances reported
Berlin, Germany - The Central Office for Hate Crime, established in September 2020, has been working tirelessly to combat racism, anti-Semitism, and other forms of group-based hostility. In 2020, there was a significant increase in reports due to targeted online investigations, which has since decreased.
The trend of online hate crime cases exceeding 50% of the total cases continued in 2021, as it did for the first time in 2024. According to the Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office and related sources, far-right groups increasingly use online platforms to direct hate speech and threats at migrants, refugees, and other minorities, contributing to the surge in online hate crimes.
Key factors include the main perpetrators being far-right extremist groups, especially those responsible for xenophobic and racist speech targeting migrant communities. There is also an ongoing challenge related to trust between minority communities and police authorities, which complicates reporting and addressing online hate crimes. Rising homophobia and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, often manifested in online hate speech, are linked to a broader political backlash and social tensions in Berlin.
In the first half of 2025, a total of 2,065 cases were via the internet, with 912 individuals suspected of spreading hate and incitement online. Deputy chief Johannes Ploog attributed the trend of increased online hate crime to the intensification of discourse forms, particularly in 'social media'.
Authorities are responding by implementing specialized units and initiatives to better address online hate crimes. Eight cooperation agreements have been concluded between justice and sports associations in Berlin, such as the Berlin Football Association, which has led to 11 investigation procedures.
However, the decrease in reports from politics could be a contributing factor to the lower number of hate crime cases registered in 2021 compared to 2024. The Public Prosecutor's Office prefers cases to be reported in the local constituency rather than Berlin, as they typically transfer cases to local justice after completing investigations.
In total, 2,025 cases of hate and incitement were registered in the first six months of 2021, with most incidents involving insults, threats, or incitement to hatred. Despite the decrease in 2021, the stable trend of hate crime cases continues, according to the Public Prosecutor's Office.
The Central Office for Hate Crime continues its efforts to combat hate crimes, recognizing that the increase in online hate crimes reflects deeper societal and political dynamics driving the online expression of hate.
Social media platforms have become avenues for far-right groups to direct hate speech and threats, contributing significantly to the surge in online hate crimes, as highlighted in the first half of 2025 with 2,065 cases via the internet. In the realm of entertainment and general news, rising homophobia and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, often manifested in online hate speech, is a concerning trend linked to a broader political backlash in Berlin.
