The number of politically motivated crimes in Germany has once again increased, according to information from the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Left-wing politician Petra Pau has highlighted the “devastating extent of right-wing crimes,” with particular concern about the rise in crimes against Muslims. In the field of “politically motivated crime – right-wing,” authorities recorded 28,945 offenses in the past year, compared to 23,493 the year before. There was also an increase in right-wing extremist acts of violence, with 1,270 incidents in 2023 compared to 1,170 in the previous year. Propaganda offenses made up a significant portion of these crimes, accounting for over 60% in 2022.
The total number of politically motivated crimes in 2023 exceeded 60,000, compared to nearly 59,000 in 2022, marking a new record for politically motivated crime. Right-wing extremist offenses constituted the largest share, followed by the category of crimes that could not be attributed to a specific group, which mainly includes politically motivated crimes outside the conventional extremism spectrum. The statistics list 16,678 offenses in this category, significantly lower than the previous year’s 24,080. Increases were also reported in left-wing extremist crimes and in the category of crimes motivated by foreign ideologies.
The final statistics on politically motivated crime for 2023 are expected to be presented in May. The numbers may change due to additional reporting, but the current data already show a concerning increase in crimes targeting Muslims. Petra Pau described the situation as a “devastating extent of right-wing crimes,” and highlighted a significant rise in anti-Muslim offenses, with over 500 incidents in the fourth quarter of 2023, totaling 1,464 for the year. Pau attributed the high numbers to escalating racist rhetoric in the debate on migration and asylum policies, which fuel old prejudices and stereotypes.
The Federal Ministry of the Interior data also revealed a drastic increase in anti-Semitic crimes in the past year, particularly following the terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023. In the fourth quarter alone, 2,782 anti-Semitic crimes were recorded – more than the total for the entire year of 2022, which reported 2,641 incidents. The total number of anti-Semitic crimes in 2023 reached nearly 5,200, double the previous year’s figures. The rise in anti-Semitic crimes is alarming and reflects a concerning trend of growing intolerance and discrimination in Germany.
The overall increase in politically motivated crimes, particularly those targeting marginalized communities such as Muslims and Jews, underscores the urgent need for action to address and prevent hate crimes. The government and law enforcement agencies must take decisive measures to combat extremism, promote inclusivity, and protect vulnerable populations. It is crucial to address the root causes of prejudice and discrimination, foster dialogue and understanding among diverse communities, and uphold the values of tolerance and respect for all individuals regardless of their background or beliefs. Only through collective efforts can society combat hate and create a safer and more inclusive environment for all.
