Human Rights Watch has called on German authorities to take stronger measures against anti-Muslim racism, amid a surge in hate crime and discrimination.

“The German government is falling short in protecting Muslims and people perceived to be Muslims from racism amid rising incidents of hate and discrimination,” the organization said in a statement on Tuesday.

Germany’s Muslim communities reported a surge in Islamophobic hate crimes triggered by biased media coverage of the recent developments, and propaganda by far-right politicians.

Human Rights Watch expert Almaz Teffera emphasized the need for the German government to change its approach to addressing anti-Muslim racism and to improve reporting and monitoring of hate crimes targeting Muslims.

 “The German government’s failings in protecting Muslims from hatred and discrimination start with a lack of understanding that Muslims experience racism and not simply faith-based hostility,” she said.

“Germany should invest in protecting Muslims and all other minority communities in Germany because it is an investment in protecting all of German society,” she stressed.

According to the official figures, German police registered 686 Islamophobic hate crimes and attacks between January and October last year, including threatening letters, verbal and physical assaults, vandalism and property damage.

Germany, with a population of over 84 million, is home to nearly 5 million Muslims, making it the second-largest Muslim population in Western Europe after France.