Origin and objectives
The reporting office is run by the Specialist Unit against Anti-Semitism (FgA) in the NS Documentation Center. Since January 1, 2021, we have been documenting anti-Semitic incidents in the city of Cologne and evaluating them in a structured manner. Our aim is to determine the extent, forms of expression and focus of the phenomenon of anti-Semitism at a local level. Using the empirical data collected, we want to raise awareness of the problem of anti-Semitism in (urban) society. It is particularly important to us to make Jewish perspectives visible in all their complexity.
Working methods of the Reporting Office
In order to make the existing anti-Semitism in Cologne visible , we regularly publish anti-Semitic incidents that are reported to us in annual reports and as highlights here on the website. A central principle of our work is the protection of confidentiality: anti-Semitic incidents are only published in anonymized form so that no conclusions can be drawn about individuals. We always treat personal data confidentially . Reporting parties decide for themselves how their report and information will be handled: Please indicate in your report if the incident should only be included in the statistics and should not be published in anonymized form.
We stand by the side of all those affected by anti-Semitism in Cologne. We can be contacted by those affected,relatives and friends of those affected as well as witnesses and other people who have become aware of anti-Semitic incidents in Cologne. We also record incidents that have not (yet) been reported to the police or do not constitute a criminal offense.
Would you like further support? You are also welcome to contact us if, for example, you …
- … would like an initial assessment of whether a particular anti-Semitic statement or action could be a criminal offense.
- … need help with filing a criminal complaint.
- … have discovered anti-Semitic graffiti or smearings in the city.
- … would like support in filing applications (e.g. applications for compensation or legal aid).
Other services offered by the specialist unit
In addition to documenting anti-Semitic incidents, two other focal points of the specialist unit are
- Psychosocial counseling for people affected by anti-Semitism
- educational workcritical of anti-Semitism
Please contact us if you would like advice or would like to book a workshop.
All services offered by the specialist center are permanent and free of charge. You can find further information in our flyer (download) and the illustrations below.
Institutional connectIon
Together with the Mobile Advisory Service against Right-Wing Extremism in the administrative district of Cologne, the specialist unit is part of the “Present” section of the NS Documentation Center. The NS-DOK is a museum of contemporary history and one of the largest municipal memorials to the victims of National Socialism. It is located in the EL-DE House, the former Gestapo headquarters in Cologne. Further offers and information about the NS-DOK can be found on the NS-DOK website.
Cooperation and networking
The Cologne reporting office cooperates closely with numerous actors in the fight against anti-Semitism, both locally and nationwide. Cooperation with the state-wide reporting office for anti-Semitic incidents(RIAS NRW) and the nationwide umbrella organization of reporting offices in Germany(Federal Association RIAS) is particularly important here: The anti-Semitic incidents documented in Cologne are included (anonymized) in the state and national statistics. This is our contribution to a uniform nationwide recording system.