Racist attack on soldiers in Prenzlau – police investigate!

Racist attack on soldiers in Prenzlau – police investigate!

Last week, a shocking incident in Prenzlau came to light, once again putting the spotlight on the growing problems with racism in the Bundeswehr. On the evening of October 29th, several Bundeswehr soldiers in uniform were walking on Steinstrasse when they were insulted and threatened by two aggressive men. They insulted the soldiers with the derogatory term “Kanake” and challenged them to a fight. They also threatened violence by threatening with a knife. The soldiers called the police to de-escalate the situation, while the attackers were initially able to escape undetected. The state security agency is investigating and is asking for information about the perpetrators, which can be received on 03984 350.

This incident shines a bright light on the discrimination that many soldiers with a migrant background experience in the Bundeswehr. According to the reservist association, a significant proportion of the new recruits have foreign roots, with around 1,200 to 1,300 soldiers being Muslim. Racist attacks on soldiers, especially those with a migrant background, are not isolated cases. A study shows that 47 percent of suspected cases of right-wing extremism, racism and anti-Semitism in the Bundeswehr have been confirmed, with numerous incidents from 2022 involving racist statements against these soldiers. The Bundeswehr itself has also introduced disciplinary measures in recent years to counteract such trends, including firing soldiers due to right-wing extremist statements.

Alarming increase in right-wing extremist incidents

The situation remains tense because, according to reports, the number of right-wing extremist incidents in the Bundeswehr has increased. In 2024, a total of 97 Bundeswehr members were dismissed due to right-wing extremist activities, which represents an increase compared to 62 dismissals the year before. This information comes from an unreleased response from the federal government to the request of Bundestag member Zada ​​Salihovic. The Federal Ministry of Defense is currently listing a total of 280 incidents in the area of ​​right-wing extremism, which represents an increase of around 30 percent compared to the previous year. The Commissioner for the Armed Forces pointed out the need to process suspected cases more quickly and emphasized that any extremism must not be tolerated. In addition, the Military Counterintelligence Service remains responsible for identifying extremists within the force.

In one particularly disturbing incident, a soldier in Cologne was seen singing right-wing extremist songs and repeatedly giving the Hitler salute. These and similar incidents create a worrying atmosphere within the armed forces. Defense Commissioner Henning Otte is calling for immediate action to combat these trends, and the Coordination Office for Suspected Extremism Cases plans to present a comprehensive report next week.

Discrimination and abuse in the Bundeswehr

It is becoming increasingly clear that the challenges in the Bundeswehr go beyond racism alone. Women and employees with disabilities also experience a higher risk of discrimination. One study found that 21.1 percent of women surveyed said they had been discriminated against because of their gender within the last two years. This shows a rate almost three times higher compared to the national average. Employees with disabilities are also more affected - 24 percent say they experience discrimination, compared to only 11.9 percent in the entire labor market.

The Bundeswehr is undoubtedly facing major challenges relating to radical tendencies and discrimination. At a time when society is committed to equality and respect, it is hoped that these incidents will not only be seen as isolated incidents but will be addressed seriously to create an environment in which all soldiers are respected and valued, regardless of their background.