Germany's AfD Pushes for Official Tracking of 'Honor Killings' in Crime Data
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has put forward a motion in the Bundestag to record so-called 'honor killings' in official crime statistics. The party claims that these offences have never been centrally documented, leaving gaps in prevention and public discussion. Parliament will debate the proposal on Thursday. The AfD's motion calls for all attempted and completed homicides linked to 'family honor' since 2005 to be systematically recorded. They want the data broken down by year and state, then published for public access. Cooperation with state authorities is also demanded to ensure the figures appear in federal police crime statistics.
According to the motion, such killings often follow triggers like independent lifestyles, refusal of arranged marriages, or separations from partners. The AfD defines these crimes as acts where women are killed by relatives for allegedly breaking traditional family norms. Currently, German official statistics—such as those from the Federal Criminal Police Office—do not track a specific category for 'honor killings'. However, NGOs like Terre des Femmes estimate between 150 and 200 cases annually nationwide until 2025, totalling over 3,000 since 2005. Their data shows the highest numbers in North Rhine-Westphalia, Berlin, and Hesse, with 19 recorded cases in 2023 and six in 2024.
The motion highlights a lack of official records on 'honor killings' in Germany. If passed, the proposal would require federal authorities to collect and publish detailed data on these crimes. The debate in parliament will determine whether the government adopts the AfD's recommendations.
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