Refugee Assaults Initial Evaluation: Limited Refugee Attacks Occurring
The rise in unreported crimes against asylum seekers and refugees in Germany is a pressing issue, with several interrelated factors contributing to this concerning trend.
Causes
- Rising Anti-Muslim and Xenophobic Sentiments: Anti-Muslim hate crimes in Germany have surged, with reported incidents rising from 898 in 2021 to over 3,000 in 2024. This increase is partially attributed to far-right extremism and Islamophobia, which also fuels violence and intimidation against refugees, many of whom are Muslim.
- Differential Reception of Refugees: Ukrainian refugees, numbering over 1.2 million as of mid-2025, have generally been received with more sympathy and support compared to asylum seekers from other regions who arrived during previous crises. This media and societal bias can exacerbate hostility toward non-Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers, contributing to underreporting as communities feel less protected or prioritized.
- Legal and Administrative Challenges: The complex asylum process and suspended or delayed procedures discourage victims from seeking police assistance, fearing jeopardization of their prospects or discrimination within the system.
- Lack of Trust in Authorities: Continued failures by German officials to adequately protect refugees, as evidenced by lawsuits against interior and foreign ministers linked to deportation issues, may further erode trust and willingness to report crimes.
Consequences
- Increased Vulnerability and Isolation: Unreported crimes allow perpetrators to act with impunity, increasing the physical and psychological vulnerability of refugees and asylum seekers.
- Impaired Policy and Resource Allocation: Lack of accurate crime data due to underreporting hampers government and NGO efforts to design effective protection policies, allocate resources properly, and address root causes such as hate crimes and xenophobia.
- Social Polarization: The invisibility of crimes against certain refugee groups contributes to unequal social experiences and perceived injustice, fueling social tensions and fragmentation within host communities.
- Impact on Mental Health: Persistent unaddressed violence and discrimination worsen trauma and hinder refugees’ ability to rebuild their lives in Germany.
The decrease in crimes against asylum seekers and refugees reported in the first half of 2025 is a positive development. However, Clara Bünger, interior politician of the Left, emphasizes that this does not mean we should let our guard down, as racist harassment, threats, and physical attacks continue to be part of the daily life of people seeking protection in Germany.
The decrease is attributed to several factors, including the changed situation in Syria, which contributed to a decrease in applications, and the gradually introduced stationary controls at all German borders and measures by Balkan countries to reduce irregular migration. However, it's crucial to address the underlying causes of these crimes to ensure the safety and well-being of all refugees and asylum seekers in Germany.
[1] Asylum Information Database (2024) [2] Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf) (2025) [3] German Press Agency (2024) [4] Bündestag Debates (2024, 2025) [5] Left Party (2025)
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