Germany

The Covid-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted vulnerable people, including asylum seekers, homeless people, and migrant workers. Children without reliable internet access faced disruption to their education. Rising reports of domestic violence are linked to the pandemic. Racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia, including violent hate crimes and attacks on refugees, are a concern in Germany, with an inadequate criminal justice response, likely exacerbated by far-right members in the police. There is a large backlog of asylum applications. A landmark trial of two former Syrian officials for torture in Syria began in 2020 under Germany’s universal jurisdiction laws.