Number of attacks on immigrants growing in Germany

Results of the latest research published by the German government on Wednesday show that xenophobia and the number of attacks on immigrants are growing across the country.

The situation is particularly critical in eastern Germany. The highest number of attacks on immigrants occurs in the federal states of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, 58.7 per million inhabitants, Saxony, 51.9, and Brandenburg, which records 51.9 attacks per million inhabitants. Violence rates against immigrants are significantly lower in the west of the country, where an average of 10.5 attacks per million inhabitants occur, writes Index.hr, reports NAP.

These figures have prompted Social Democratic Party member Iris Gleicke to call for decisive measures to combat right-wing extremism. Comparing the latest events to the violence of Nazis in brown uniforms, Gleicke urged East Germans to stop ignoring violence against immigrants.

- We East Germans must take matters into our own hands and decide whether we will protect our cities and villages or leave them to the brown nightmare. Society must not look away from attacks on people or the burning of shelters for immigrants. Much is at stake for eastern Germany - Gleicke told Deutsche Welle.

Merkel under fire

The research also showed that the east lags behind the rest of the country in terms of average life expectancy, income, and health status of its residents, which could be one of the reasons for the rise in intolerance towards immigrants.

Such social sentiment has led to a sharp rise in the popularity of the anti-immigrant right-wing party AfD, which has gained a significant number of votes in local elections in several German federal states. Some of the public blame Chancellor Angela Merkel for the situation in the country, who steadfastly defends her immigration policy. Even some major media outlets have spoken out against the once very popular politician, with political columnist Christoph Hasselbach accusing Merkel of having "turned Germany into a grand experiment whose consequences future generations will also feel.".

- Germans were not asked if they wanted this or if they were prepared for the necessary financial and cultural sacrifices. It is difficult to precisely define that feeling of no longer being at home in your own country. Many politicians will deny this feeling of unease, or advise everyone to keep it to themselves, but they will by no means turn it into a political issue - writes Hasselbach for Deutsche Welle.

Many non-governmental organizations worldwide are calling for a halt to the wave of violence against immigrants. They are just people fleeing war in their countries, seeking peace for themselves and their families, writes NAP.