BERLIN – Racist crimes surged by almost 40 percent in eastern Germany last year, official data shows Tuesday as the country prepared to host a record number of refugees.
The data, which includes attacks against migrants as well as violence targeted at German citizens of foreign origin, also underlines the divide in attitudes between the east and west of the country despite its reunification 25 years ago.
Although the east is home to just under a fifth of Germany’s population, close to half of racially motivated crimes were committed there, according to the Interior Ministry’s written response to a question by a Greens party lawmaker.
In absolute numbers, that is 61 out of a total of 130 registered racist crimes, and a 40-percent jump from a year ago.
The surge in racist violence comes in tandem with the steepest rise in asylum applications — projected to reach up to a record 750,000 this year.
— AFP
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