Everything you need to know about anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic and how to report it

Everything you need to know about anti-Asian racism during the Covid-19 pandemic and how to report it in Germany

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the world witnessed a sharp increase in racism against people of Asian descent, especially against those perceived to be from East or Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, Germany was no exception: many individuals reported harassment, physical and verbal attacks, and discrimination at work or in public spaces because of their appearance.

---

What caused this phenomenon?

When the virus first spread in China, conspiracy theories and hate speech began to circulate, falsely linking the disease directly to “Asians”. This fuelled fear and hostility towards people of Asian origin.

This racism took many forms, including:

• Insults and verbal abuse in the street or on public transport

• Being thrown out of or discriminated against at workplaces and shops

• Physical and verbal assaults

• Boycotts of businesses owned or run by people of Asian descent

---

What does German law say?

The German Basic Law (Grundgesetz)

• Article 1: Human dignity is inviolable.

• Article 3: No one may be disadvantaged because of their origin, “race”, or religion.

General Equal Treatment Act (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz – AGG)

• The AGG prohibits discrimination in employment, education, housing, and access to public and private services.

---

How can you protect yourself legally?

1. Document the incident

• Write down the date, time, and location

• Keep any messages, photos, or recordings (if legally permissible)

• Collect witness statements if other people saw what happened

2. Report to the police

• In case of physical assault or direct threats, call the police immediately on the emergency number 110

• File an official report at the police station and keep the reference number of your case

3. Contact support organisations

• Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes (Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency)

• Specialised associations and community groups, for example organisations representing Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese or other Asian communities in Germany

---

What additional channels for reporting exist?

• Online platforms that document racist incidents, such as HateAid or the Berliner Register

• Local victim support centres offering psychological and legal counselling, accompaniment to authorities, and further assistance

---

Support programmes and initiatives during the pandemic

Awareness campaigns

• The German government and civil society organisations launched campaigns against racism during the pandemic, including:

  • Media campaigns explaining that Covid-19 is not tied to any nationality or ethnicity

  • Public information highlighting the dangers of blaming specific groups for the virus

  • Positive stories and examples of solidarity and peaceful coexistence

Solidarity networks

• Community-based initiatives providing psychological and social support to affected individuals

• Online support groups in multiple languages to reduce the sense of isolation many people felt during lockdown periods

---

Why reporting matters – and why you should not stay silent

Reporting an incident does not only protect you personally; it also:

• Helps to measure the real scale of the problem more accurately

• Contributes to the development of more effective policies and laws

• Sends a strong collective message against hatred, violence, and discrimination

---

Conclusion

Anti-Asian racism during the Covid-19 pandemic exposed how fragile social cohesion can be in times of crisis. At the same time, German law, support structures, and civil-society initiatives stand firmly with anyone who experiences discrimination.

If you are confronted with any form of racism, do not hesitate to report it – your voice matters, and your protection is a guaranteed right.

---

Key German terms

• Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes: Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency

• Grundgesetz (GG): German Basic Law (Constitution)

• Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz (AGG): General Equal Treatment Act

• Hasskriminalität: hate crime

• Berliner Register: Berlin-based register documenting discriminatory and extremist incidents

---

The editorial team of this website makes every effort to provide accurate information based on thorough research and several sources. Nevertheless, errors or incomplete details may occur. The content of this article is therefore intended as an initial guide only and does not replace personalised legal advice. For binding information, please contact the competent authorities or a qualified lawyer.