German human rights group reports 'alarming increase' in far-right violence

BERLIN

A German human rights group on Tuesday warned of an “alarming increase” in far-right violence recorded in the country in 2024.

We witnessed 3,453 attacks last year which is “another alarming increase in right-wing racist and antisemitic violence, up more than 20%.

This means an average of nine attacks per day, including serious acts of violence involving weapons, explosives, and fire accelerants,” said anti-racism expert Judith Porath at a press briefing in Berlin.

“We have had to mourn nine fatalities and four homicide cases over the past year,” she added.

Porath who heads a group that helps victims of far-right violence in the eastern state of Brandenburg state, said Germany was faced by a "configuration of right-wing violence" and called on politicians to take real action.

According to the report, 4,861 people, including 679 children, were affected by far-right violence in 2024 -- an average of around 13 people per day.

Porath stressed that racism is a dominant motive in about half of the cases.

"It is overwhelmingly men who commit the crimes," she said, while adding that the victims were also mostly men.

The human rights activist pointed out that the rise of the far-right party Alternative for Germany had actually fueled racism in the country, calling for a political ban on the party.