Far-right extremism manifested itself once more in Germany four years ago when Tobias Rathjen shot and killed nine young people with migrant backgrounds in Hanau. Among the victims were Turks, who have long been targets of racism and violence in the country. This tragic incident left families devastated, with Emiş Gürbüz, the mother of one victim, expressing the long-lasting pain and calling for justice for the victims due to authorities’ negligence.
Family members, like Çetin Gültekin, fear a repetition of such attacks without proper measures in place. Gültekin also highlighted threats they faced from Rathjen’s father and expressed the need for protection. Despite the rise of opposition against racism in Germany, concerns about the far-right gaining ground persist, with Gültekin urging authorities to take action against racist sentiments and seize weapons from extremists.
The community in Hanau commemorates the attack’s fourth anniversary with events opposing racism, anti-Semitism, and far-right extremism. However, worries about the far-right gaining momentum, as shown in recent polls indicating increased support for parties like Alternative for Germany (AfD), continue to trouble the victims’ families. The rise of the far-right is not unique to Germany, with other European countries also witnessing similar trends.
Abdullah Eren of the Presidency of Turks Abroad and Related Communities underlines an identity crisis in Europe, with attacks against Turks escalating since the 1970s. He stresses the importance of reporting discriminatory actions faced by the Turkish diaspora and the need for thorough investigations into the perpetrators and their connections. Eren warns against the growing support for far-right parties and the need to address the roots of racism and extremism in Europe to ensure the safety of citizens.
