Reduced incidents of aggression towards refugees, initially reported
In recent times, Germany has witnessed a concerning trend of unreported crimes against asylum seekers and refugees. The Left Party has raised concerns about a high dark figure for such crimes, as many incidents may go unreported.
According to police statistics, the number of documented crimes against asylum seekers and refugees outside of refugee accommodations decreased in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with 1,236 cases recorded in 2024. However, the Left Party's interior policy spokesperson, Clara Bünger, emphasises that racial harassment, threats, and physical assaults remain a part of daily life for people seeking protection in Germany.
The increase in unreported crimes is influenced by several interrelated factors. Rising Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate crimes have been a significant concern, with reported incidents quadrupling from 898 in 2021 to 3,080 in 2024. Mixed official and societal messages, social and political tensions, distrust in law enforcement, and recent refugee influx and integration challenges have also contributed to underreporting.
Far-right violence and demonstrations, such as those organised by neo-Nazi groups in North Rhine-Westphalia and Magdeburg, and parties currently being monitored by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, like the AfD, have further exacerbated the situation. In February 2024, a law of the traffic light government came into force, which expanded the possibilities for detention and deportation.
However, some reports suggest that overall crimes targeting asylum seekers in early 2025 were down outside certain places, indicating the importance of context-specific interventions.
To combat this issue, potential solutions involve strengthening legal protections and hate crime monitoring, community outreach and support services, clear governmental stance and awareness campaigns, training and sensitization of police, and improving integration policies. By addressing social attitudes, institutional responses, and victim support, Germany can work towards ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all refugees.
It is important to note that the federal government did not provide information on the number of crimes against asylum seekers or recognised refugees inside refugee accommodations for the first half of 2025 or 2024. The police statistics also do not specify the number of crimes inside refugee accommodations during the same period.
As the country continues to grapple with this issue, it is crucial for all stakeholders to work together to create a more inclusive and safe society for all.
The Left Party's interior policy spokesperson, Clara Bünger, stresses that despite a decrease in documented crimes against asylum seekers and refugees outside of refugee accommodations, general-news reports indicate that racial harassment, threats, and physical assaults remain prevalent in the daily lives of those seeking protection in Germany. Furthermore, political debates and far-right demonstrations could deter asylum seekers from reporting crimes, contributing to the dark figure of unreported crimes-and-justice incidents within the broader general-news landscape.
