Germany

Right-wing extremism, antisemitism, and racism, including violent hate crimes, are a serious concern in Germany. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more than one million refugees from Ukraine entered Germany. Food and utility price increases exacerbated concerns about the right to an adequate standard of living for people living on low incomes. Despite progress on rights of transgender people through the proposed Self-Determination Law governing legal gender recognition, trans people continue to suffer violence and discrimination. As the EU’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter, Germany is contributing to the climate crisis which is taking an increasing toll on the protection of human rights.

Poverty and Inequality

April 15, 2025
Dispatches
German Coalition’s Troubling Plans on Social Security

Kartik Raj

Senior Researcher, Western Europe
Germany

April 3, 2025
Dispatches
German Proposal to Strip Citizenship Endangers Human Rights

Almaz Teffera

Researcher, Racism in Europe
Economic Justice and Rights

April 1, 2025
Dispatches
Germany’s Social Democrats Should Defend EU Supply Chains Laws

Juliane Kippenberg

Associate Director, Children's Rights Division

Videos

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Human Rights Watch team members issue recommendations for the incoming German government.

Reports

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March 24, 2025 Report

“It Tears You Apart”

Poverty and Gender in Germany’s Social Security System
July 1, 2021 Report

Germany: Inaction on Heat Plans Threatens Health

Pregnancy Risks Left Out of Climate Change Planning
February 14, 2018 Report

Germany: Flawed Social Media Law

NetzDG is Wrong Response to Online Abuse
October 3, 2017 Report

“These are the Crimes we are Fleeing”

Justice for Syria in Swedish and German Courts

News

March 27, 2025 Commentary

Caring for Inclusion: Advancing Support Systems at the Global Disability Summit
March 24, 2025 News Release

Germany: Social Security Failing to Protect Rights

New Government Should Act to Address Poverty, Gender Inequality
February 24, 2025 Dispatches

Germany’s Coalition Talks Should Focus on Rights

As Far Right Makes Gains, Parties Should Support Human Rights Agenda
December 18, 2024 Statement

Combatting Transnational Repression in Germany

Comments by Hugh Williamson, Human Rights Watch at a hearing in the German parliament, 17 December 2024
December 18, 2024 Commentary

Germany and Human Rights

Federal Elections 2025: Recommendations to Political Parties
November 20, 2024 News Release

Tajikistan: Tajik Activist Deported from Germany Jailed

Berlin Should Request His Release, Ensure He Is Not Mistreated
November 18, 2024 News Release

Africans and People of African Descent Call on Europe to Reckon with Their Colonial Legacies
November 14, 2024 News Release

Europe Has Yet to Address Colonial Legacies

140 Years After Key European Colonial Conference, Ongoing Impacts Require Urgent Action
November 11, 2024 Dispatches

Germany’s Muddle on Antisemitism

New Parliamentary Resolution Threatens Human Rights
October 31, 2024 Dispatches

Tajik Activist in Germany at Risk of Deportation

Deportee Faces Risk of Torture in Tajikistan