17/11/2025 | Writer: Kaos GL
According to the 2025 Trans Murder Monitoring data, Brazil recorded the highest number of hate murders, while in Asia, hate murders increased to a record level.
Transgender Europe (TGEU) has released its 2025 Trans Murder Monitoring data. The organization’s research has been documenting hate crimes against trans and gender diverse people since 2009. According to TGEU, 5322 hate murders have been recorded since 2009.
The research shows that trans people have become increasingly targeted since 2009.
Sex workers remain the most targeted group
This year’s research reveals that 14 percent of hate crimes and murders targeted activists. The report particularly emphasizes a noticeable increase in attacks against activists: this rate was 9 percent in 2024 and 6 percent in 2023.
According to the report, between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, 281 trans and gender diverse people were killed. Sex workers continued to be the most targeted group, accounting for 34 percent of the victims.
As in previous years, 90 percent of reported hate murders were directed at trans women or transfeminine people.
Examining the age distribution, 24 percent of those killed were aged 19-25, 25 percent were 26-30, 26 percent were 31-40, and 5 percent were under 18.
Brazil records the highest number of hate murders
68 percent of hate murders occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean. Brazil has recorded the highest number of hate murders for 18 consecutive years.
In Europe, five hate murders were reported, and in the U.S., 31 were reported. These numbers were 8 and 41, respectively, in 2024.
Cases increase in Asia!
Regionally, Asia was the only region to see an increase in cases this year. Fifty one hate murders were recorded in the region, marking the highest number ever reported for Asia. According to 2025 data, Pakistan recorded the highest number of hate murder cases in Asia.
The data also show that 44 percent of hate murders were committed with firearms, 25 percent occurred in public spaces, and 22 percent occurred in the victims’ own homes.
Many murders go unrecorded
The report notes that many hate murders are either unrecorded or incorrectly documented. Therefore, the actual numbers may be much higher than reported. The report states that state sponsored anti trans rhetoric legitimizes violence and weakens existing human rights protections, making trans people more vulnerable.
"These murders are the most extreme consequence of political discourse"
TGEU Policy Manager Deekshitha Ganesan commented on the report:
“This rise is a deliberate attempt to silence those defending freedom and equality. These murders are the most extreme consequence of political discourse that dehumanises trans people. Governments must act now to protect trans human rights defenders and ensure that trans communities can live and organise safely.”
TGEU Senior Research Officer Freya Watkins added:
“Governments and institutions must support civil society, harmonise hate-crime laws, and decriminalise sex work to stop this violence.”
Tags: human rights, women, life, trans, lgbti
