Discrimination by Authorities and Police

Unequal treatment by authorities and public offices is not allowed. Discriminatory checks by security and public order authorities are not permitted. This includes, for example, the police, the Bundespolizei (Federal Police), Ordnungsamt (Public Order Office), and border authorities.

In Berlin, the Landesantidiskriminierungsgesetz (LADG) (State Anti-Discrimination Act) provides special protection in contact with public authorities. Here you can find out:

What Laws Protect Me?

  • Grundgesetz (Art. 3) (Basic Law (Article 3)): All people are equal before the law.
  • Landesantidiskriminierungsgesetz (LADG) (State Anti-Discrimination Act, Berlin): Protects you from discrimination by Berlin public authorities and allows you to file complaints with the Ombuds Office.

What Are Examples of Discrimination?

  • Unequal treatment during applications or in contact with public services
  • Disrespectful language or degrading treatment
  • Police checks based only on appearance or origin (“racial profiling”)
Unterschriebene Personen auf dem Bild

Wo bekomme ich Hilfe bei Diskriminierung?

Bei der Landesstelle für Gleichbehandlung – gegen Diskriminierung findest du die richtige Beratungsstelle.

Nutze die Suche

What Is the Difference Between Polizei (Police), Bundespolizei (Federal Police), Ordnungsamt (Public Order Office), and Grenzbehörden (Border Authorities)?

  • Polizei (Police): The Polizei is responsible for public safety in everyday life. It usually belongs to the individual federal states (for example, Polizei Berlin).
  • Bundespolizei (Federal Police): The Bundespolizei is a special police force for all of Germany (federal level). It is mainly responsible at train stations, on trains, at airports, and at borders.
  • Ordnungsamt (Public Order Office): The Ordnungsamt belongs to the city administration. It deals with everyday regulations, for example parking or noise complaints. It is not a police authority.
  • Grenzbehörden (Border Authorities): Grenzbehörden control who enters or leaves the country. This includes, for example, the Bundespolizei and customs authorities.

All of these institutions are public authorities. This means they must follow the law and treat people fairly.

What Can I Do if I Am Being Discriminated Against?

If you need support, contact a counseling center or a lawyer. Here is how you can proceed:

  1. Collect information: Document the incident as precisely as possible (date, place, people involved, and what happened) and keep evidence (for example messages, photos, or witnesses). [Example Documents]
  2. Contact a counseling center: Find a suitable counseling center (for example, anti-discrimination counseling) and arrange an appointment – often by phone, email, or online.
  3. Use an initial consultation: In a first meeting, you will receive an assessment of your situation and information about your rights and options.
  4. Clarify the next steps: Together, you can decide whether to file a complaint , seek mediation, or take legal action.
  5. Seek legal support: If necessary, a lawyer can help you enforce your rights.

Under Documents, you can find a template. It helps you document an incident.

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Locations in this map

Antidiskriminierungsberatung Alter, Behinderung, Chronische Erkrankung

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[DeepL:] Berlin Office against Discrimination in Age, Disability, Chronic Illness

[DeepL:] Whether at work, with a government agency, when looking for an apartment or in your free time

  • we support you if you are discriminated against.

    We offer you assistance in the perception and enforcement of your rights!
Address

Littenstraße 108
10179 Berlin
Germany

Office Hours

[DeepL:] Consultations by appointment

Supporting Organisation
Landesvereinigung Selbsthilfe Berlin e. V.
Phone
+49 30 27 59 25 27

Antidiskriminierungsnetzwerk Berlin (ADNB)

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Turkish Federation in Berlin-Brandenburg

Counselling and support for people in Berlin who experience racist and related discrimination (People of Color, Muslims, Romnja*, Sintezza*, Jews, people with migration history and/or others...) through:

  • Information and counselling interview
  • Legal counselling
  • contacting the accused (e.g. letter of complaint)
  • Accompaniment to talks
  • Assistance in the sense of § 23 AGG (General Equal Treatment Act)
  • Referral to lawyers, psychologists, doctors and other specialised counselling centres.
  • If necessary, involvement of the media and politics

The office is supported by the Senate Department for Justice, Consumer Protection and Anti-Discrimination through funds from the State Office for Equal Treatment against Discrimination (LADS).

Address

Richard-Sorge-Str. 13
10249 Berlin
Germany

Office Hours

[DeepL:] Open consultation (by telephone):
Tuesday 15:00-17:00, Thursday 10:00-12:00

!!!Due to the Covid-19 pandemic temporarily by phone under the number: 0157 8510 6697 (this number is only for open consultation)!!!

Supporting Organisation
Türkischer Bund in Berlin-Brandenburg (TBB) e.V.
Phone
+49 30 55 06 59 05
Address

Sprengelstraße 15
13353 Berlin
Germany

Supporting Organisation
Bund für Antidiskriminierungs- und Bildungsarbeit in der BRD e.V.
Phone
+49 30 2168884

DOSTA/MIA Berlin

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Documentation Centre Antiziganism

The project systematically records incidents motivated by antiziganism and empowers the victims of discrimination.

We offer initial counselling, education about possible courses of action, accompaniment to counselling institutions as well as empowerment work. We need your support to record and process the cases! Please report to us if you have experienced or witnessed an antiziganist incident.

Address

Obentrautstraße 55
10963 Berlin
Germany

Office Hours

Mon/Thu 9 am - 4 pm
Tue 9-14 h
Wed 12-18 h

Supporting Organisation
Amaro Foro e.V.
Phone
+49 30 43205373

Each One Teach One (EOTO)

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Anti-discrimination counselling & social counselling for young people

Initial and referral counselling for Black, African and Afrodiasporic people in Berlin in all cases of discrimination:

  • in the search for work or housing,
  • within the employment or housing relationship,
  • when shopping or signing contracts,
  • at school - whether as students, parents or teachers...
  • on the street...

EOTO also supports the Vera-Heyer library and promotes African and Afro-diasporic literature through the indaba project.

Address

Kamerunerstraße 16
13351 Berlin
Germany

Office Hours

Open anti-discrimination counselling:
Wed 12-14, Fri 15-17

Open Social Counseling:
Tue 4-6pm

Supporting Organisation
Each One Teach One (EOTO) e.V.
Phone
+49 157 52471741 und +49 157 73551948 sowie +49 157 73551948 (Jugendberatung)

GLADT e.V. Psychosoziale Beratung

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Counselling for black and POC (LGBTQ*) people

GLADT e.V. exists since 1999 and is an independent self-organization of black and POC lesbians, gays, bisexuals, queer and trans* persons (LGBTQ) and those with migration history.

GLADT is committed to combating racism, sexism, trans* and homophobia, ableism and other forms of discrimination on various levels. Within the framework of the project "Treffpunkt" we also offer initial psychosocial counselling on topics such as coming out, family, addiction, health, violence and discrimination.

Address

Lützowstraße 28
10785 Berlin
Germany

Office Hours

[DeepL:] Tuesdays from 11 - 14
thursdays from 13 - 16 o'clock
or by appointment

Supporting Organisation
Gladt e.V.
Phone
+49 30 587 684 9300

LesMigraS

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Lesbian counselling for LGBTIQ refugee

We provide free advice on asylum and residence law issues, dealing with violence and discrimination, accommodation and health. If necessary and in conflict situations, we accompany to offices and accommodations.

Address

Kulmer Straße 20a
10783 Berlin
Germany

Office Hours

Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 14-17.30

Supporting Organisation
Lesbenberatung Berlin e.V. - Ort für Kommunikation, Kultur, Bildung und Information e.V.
Phone
+49 30 21915090

OFEK Berlin

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Counselling for victims of anti-Semitic violence and discrimination

Services we offer:

  • Counseling and support after anti-Semitic incidents.
  • Strengthening group counselling - on request also in digital format
  • Advice on legal options for dealing with anti-Semitism
  • Referral to further counselling (e.g. anti-discrimination counselling, specialised psychological services)
  • Specialised counselling for Jewish communities as well as schools and other (advice-seeking) institutions

The counselling of young people and families after incidents at school as well as specialist counselling for teachers and school-related actors represent an important focus of our work.

Counselling takes place by telephone and, on request, in person and/or digitally.

OFEK is a registered association based in Berlin with a nationwide focus.

Address

Berlin
Germany

Office Hours

Nationwide telephone hotline:
Monday 4 - 6 p.m.
Tuesday 10 - 12 o'clock
Wednesday 12 - 14 o'clock
Thursday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Friday 12 - 14 o'clock

Supporting Organisation
OFEK e.V. - Beratungsstelle bei antisemitischer Gewalt und Diskriminierung
Phone
+49 30 610 80 458, +49 176 458 755 32

ReachOut

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Counselling centre for victims of right-wing, racist and anti-Semitic violence

ReachOut is a counselling centre for victims of right-wing, racist and anti-Semitic violence in Berlin. We also support and advise relatives, friends of the victims and witnesses of an attack. We offer the following:

  • psychosocial counselling and emotional support after an attack.
  • referral to therapeutic offers and other counselling centres, e.g. in the case of problems with residence permits
  • decision-making assistance and support in further proceedings, legal options and in the search for lawyers
  • Advice on financial support (legal aid, compensation payments, etc.)
  • Preparation and follow-up of court proceedings
  • Accompaniment to the police, authorities, court appointments, doctors
  • Public relations (e.g. press releases about attacks, events),
  • Information and educational events on racism, right-wing extremism and anti-Semitism in Berlin.

Our consultations are free of charge, voluntary and anonymous upon request.

Address

Kopernikusstr. 23
10245 Berlin
Germany

Supporting Organisation
ARIBA e.V. - Antirassistische intersektionale Bildungsarbeit
Phone
+49 30 695 683 39

Romani Phen

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Feminist Romnja Archive

RomaniPhen e.V. is an association of Romnja* and Sintezzi*.

*We work feminist, critical of racism and empowering!

*As a self-organization we are mainly active in the field of education, knowledge and cultural production. We work in the field of extracurricular historical and political education, on racism-critical further education for professionals and multipliers, on the development and mediation of educational materials.

*We present the feminist work with girls, Romani related events and the events and networking of activists as well as the appreciation and dissemination of Romani knowledge in the center of our work.

Address

Karl-Kunger-Str. 17
12435 Berlin
Germany

Supporting Organisation
RomaniPhen e.V.
Phone
+49 30 350 502 64 oder +49 30 629 630 83