Germany

The rising number of asylum seekers to Germany has been met with anti-migrant protests and some incidents of violent expressions of right-wing sentiment. Government statistics revealed a stark increase in hate crimes against asylum seekers and asylum centers in 2014. Reforms to the asylum system lifted the controversial ban on in-country travel for asylum seekers after three months and eased access to the labor market. A parliamentary committee is investigating the mass surveillance of German citizens by US security services, and German agencies’ possible knowledge. At least three German states forcibly return Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptians to Kosovo despite concerns about discrimination and inadequate integration measures upon return.