In the German city of Magdeburg, Haben Gebregergish, an Eritrean immigrant, has shared troubling experiences since she arrived seven years ago. One notable incident occurred while she was walking with her child to a supermarket. An intoxicated woman approached her and, despite Gebregergish’s limited German language skills, she understood the hostility when the woman threw a beer bottle at her. This aggressive encounter was merely one of many instances of racism she has faced since moving to Germany.
Following a tragic attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg last year, Gebregergish and fellow migrants reported a notable rise in racist sentiments and anti-immigrant sentiments within their community. The violent event, in which a Saudi doctor drove a vehicle into bustling holiday shoppers, resulted in the deaths of five women and a child, injuring around 200 others. Authorities noted that the perpetrator, who had arrived in Germany in 2006 and held permanent residency, does not conform to the typical profile associated with extremist offenses and is currently in custody as investigations continue.
In the days following the December 20 attack, a significant right-wing protest took place in Magdeburg, leading to a reported increase in both verbal and physical aggression towards individuals with migrant backgrounds. According to Saeeid Saeeid from the German-Syrian Cultural Association, assaults on migrants have surged by over 70%. He voiced concern that although racism existed previously, it has intensified dramatically post-attack.
Ketevan Asatiani-Hermann, the newly appointed chair of the Advisory Council for Integration and Migration in Magdeburg, highlighted that many victims of racial attacks feel unsupported by political leaders and law enforcement. She expressed frustration over the perception that law enforcement sometimes prioritizes the suspects over victims in investigations and that victims fear that reporting incidents could jeopardize their residency status.
The local police department has not commented regarding the rising incidents of violence. In response to the situation, Mayor Simone Borris emphasized the importance of community cohesion and asserted that the city values would not be compromised. She also indicated that resources for migrants would be expanded in collaboration with the Advisory Council.
Situated in the former eastern part of Germany, Magdeburg has become a stronghold for the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is gaining momentum ahead of the upcoming election, polling at around 20%. The growing influence of the AfD has altered the political landscape, compelling other parties to address migration issues more seriously.
The results of the forthcoming election could significantly affect the political climate in Magdeburg and the experiences of migrants residing there. Asatiani-Hermann remarked on the feeling of isolation among migrants, noting their desire for direct engagement from elected officials regarding their concerns. Saeeid echoed this sentiment, stating, “We will not allow Magdeburg to become a playing field for racism and hatred.”
