By Ayhan Simsek
BERLIN (AA) - Germany marked the sixth anniversary of a racist attack on Thursday with silent memorial ceremonies held across the country to honor the victims of one of the deadliest far-right attacks in the nation's recent history.
On Feb. 19, 2020, a 43-year-old German far-right extremist shot and killed nine people at two cafes in Hanau before killing his mother and himself. Authorities determined the attack was motivated by racism and right-wing extremism.
This year's commemorations were quieter than in previous years, with silent wreath-laying ceremonies at the attack sites instead of large public gatherings. Memorial events were also held in Berlin, Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, and other cities.
Relatives of the victims gathered with representatives from the city of Hanau, the state of Hesse, and the federal government for the memorial ceremonies. Türkiye's consul general in Frankfurt, Nagihan Ilknur Akdevelioglu, and Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky also attended.
German Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer said in a statement marking the anniversary: "Six years after Hanau, we remember the people whose lives were violently taken. Their loss still hurts today. We must not and will not forget them."
"Anyone who murders people over their origin attacks our democratic and open society. We will resolutely oppose this and fight racism and extremism with determination," he added.
Hesse’s Premier Boris Rhein said the wounds from the attack remain unhealed. "The unimaginable suffering that the cowardly, racist perpetrator brought upon families and friends must never be forgotten. We will not forget the victims of this terrible act," he said.
He added that remembrance is more than looking back. "It is both a duty and an obligation. We stand for respect, humanity, and solidarity. Only if we stand together against hatred and incitement can we confront such acts."
- Deep-rooted racism, xenophobia, and anti-Muslim sentiment
Four Turkish citizens were among the nine killed in the attack by far-right extremist Tobias Rathjen. All the victims had migrant backgrounds. Before the attack, Rathjen posted videos online detailing his xenophobic views. After the shootings, he killed his mother and himself at their home.
Akdevelioglu told Anadolu that incidents such as Hanau expose deep-rooted racism, xenophobia, and anti-Muslim sentiment that demand stronger, multidimensional countermeasures.
"This is primarily the responsibility of the German government and state institutions. But we need a multidimensional approach – political and legal measures alone will not suffice," she said, emphasizing the critical role of educational and cultural initiatives.
Germany has seen growing racism in recent years, fueled by propaganda from far-right groups and the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
In 2025, right-wing extremists committed more than 1,500 violent attacks targeting migrants, refugees, or political opponents, according to official figures. Dozens of people were injured.
According to the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, a human rights group, at least 219 people have been killed in Germany by far-right extremists since 1989. More than 50 of the victims were from the Turkish community.