10.10.2018

Gauland retracing Hitler’s tracks: the need to recognize the AfD for what it is

The Holocaust survivors are not surprised by the fact that Herr Gauland’s political twists and turns are clearly retracing Hitler’s tracks and that his worldview is digging deep into the stockpile of Nazi propaganda. ... Gauland retracing Hitler’s tracks: the need to recognize the AfD for what it is

26.09.2018

Ida Grinspan has died

The Auschwitz survivor Ida Grinspan passed away during the night of 24 September in Paris. She was 88 years old. The politician, Delphine Batho, published the ‘very sad news’ about the death ‘of her friend’ on Twitter, and paid tribute to her as an ‘outstandingly courageous personality and a lover of life’. ... Ida Grinspan has died

24.09.2018

Right-wing extremism has long since returned as an independent force within German society in the wake of the AfD

Holocaust survivors in the International Auschwitz Committee are watching carefully as they see their fears more than confirmed by the one-year activities of the AfD in the German Bundestag. The party has managed to place its stamp of aggressiveness and brutalisation on many debates in Germany, and at the same time has attracted even more extreme and anti-Semitic forces. ... Right-wing extremism has long since returned as an independent force within German society in the wake of the AfD

20.09.2018

On the death of the French Auschwitz survivor and film director Marceline Loridan-Ivens

It is with heavy hearts and deepest gratitude that Auschwitz survivors around the world are bidding farewell to the French-Jewish Auschwitz survivor Marceline Loridan-Ivens who, together with her father, was deported to Auschwitz in 1943 as Marceline Rosenfeld, age 15. She also survived the death march to Bergen-Belsen in January 1945. In May 1945, at the age of 17, she was liberated from the death camp of Theresienstadt Ghetto. After her return to France she began her career in filmmaking, especially as an assistant to documentary film makers. She later married the film director Joris Ivens. ... On the death of the French Auschwitz survivor and film director Marceline Loridan-Ivens

19.09.2018

Today’s EU summit in Strasbourg and refugee policies: reflecting on the values of Europe

Prior to today‘s EU summit, Auschwitz survivors in the International Auschwitz Committee (IAC) are appealing to the European heads of state and government to remember the European values which led the formerly hostile peoples into a community almost free of hatred and aggressiveness following the horrors of Auschwitz and war. ... Today’s EU summit in Strasbourg and refugee policies: reflecting on the values of Europe

16.09.2018

IAC presidium meeting in Budapest: combat the strategies of hate on a massive scale, both politically and legally

The presidium of the International Auschwitz Committee met in Budapest from 13 to 15 September. It was attended by Auschwitz survivors and representatives from Hungary, the USA, Israel, Poland, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Austria and Germany. The convention began as members of the IAC met with Dr András Heisler, President of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Hungary. ... IAC presidium meeting in Budapest: combat the strategies of hate on a massive scale, both politically and legally

11.09.2018

IAC Vice President Felix Kolmer honoured with the Saxon Order of Merit

Today, Saxony’s Minister-President Michael Kretschmer will be awarding the Order of Merit of the Free State of Saxony to 17 people in the Gallery of the Electors at the Royal Palace in Dresden. Saxony presents this award to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the people and state of Saxony in the fields of politics economics, culture, social welfare, society or voluntary work. The recipients include Professor Emeritus Dr Felix Kolmer (Prague, Czech Republic), the Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee. ... IAC Vice President Felix Kolmer honoured with the Saxon Order of Merit

08.09.2018

Anti-Semitic attack on restaurant in Chemnitz: those responsible with the police and Office for the Protection of the Consitution are overchallenged

The latest news, that a Jewish restaurant was attacked and the owner threatened during the excessive right-wing extremist violence in Chemnitz, has caused Auschwitz survivors to ask urgent new questions concerning the safety of Jewish life in Germany. It has also awakened painful memories of the suffering and persecution they were forced to experience in German towns and cities. For the survivors, the fact that it was days before the police commented publicly on this act of violence is both inacceptable and scandalous. ... Anti-Semitic attack on restaurant in Chemnitz: those responsible with the police and Office for the Protection of the Consitution are overchallenged

06.09.2018

Latest news and development of AfD: enemies of the constitution under observation

It is with increasing concern that Holocaust survivors in the International Auschwitz Committee are following the radicalisation of the AfD and the openly increasing collaboration between the AfD, national socialist and right-wing extremist groupings. The survivors find it particularly disturbing that in this connection the police and the Office for the Protection of the Constitution were surprised by this strategically planned and tightly organised development. ... Latest news and development of AfD: enemies of the constitution under observation

Young people from Poland and Germany in front of Auschwitz-Birkenau

03.09.2018

Letter for today’s concert in Chemnitz #wir sind mehr sent by young people from Germany and Poland: “Your smile is also our smile”

At the moment young Volkswagen trainees from Wolfsburg, Emden and Osnabrück are working together with Polish vocational college students and the International Auschwitz Committee at the Auschwitz Memorial for 14 days. It is in this place that they have been following and discussing the events in Chemnitz over the past few days with great interest and deep dismay. They have spontaneously decided to send the following letter to the people gathered at today’s concert #wir sind mehr (#there are more of us). ... Letter for today’s concert in Chemnitz #wir sind mehr sent by young people from Germany and Poland: “Your smile is also our smile”

31.08.2018

International Auschwitz Committee calls for immediate observation of the AfD by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution

During a working stay at the Auschwitz Memorial, Christoph Heubner, Executive Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee stated: ... International Auschwitz Committee calls for immediate observation of the AfD by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution

30.08.2018

The development of right-wing extremism in Germany / Chemnitz: cause for growing concern and horrific memories

During a working stay at the Auschwitz Memorial, Christoph Heubner, Executive Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee, commented on right-wing extremist developments in Germany and on the marches planned in Chemnitz next weekend by neo-Nazis and potentially violent groups: ... The development of right-wing extremism in Germany / Chemnitz: cause for growing concern and horrific memories

19.08.2018

Heiko Maas in Auschwitz / Oswiecim: survivors are hoping for increased efforts by the German Government to counter anti-Semitism and right-wing extremism

Auschwitz survivors are very disturbed by recent studies reporting a growing hardening of anti-Semitic prejudices and a massive increase in anti-Semitism in many different facets. For this reason, they are welcoming tomorrow’s journey to Oswiecim/Auschwitz by Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Mass, where he will be visiting the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and the International Youth Meeting Center. ... Heiko Maas in Auschwitz / Oswiecim: survivors are hoping for increased efforts by the German Government to counter anti-Semitism and right-wing extremism

18.08.2018

Sadness, respect and gratitude: on the death of Kofi Annan

It is with sadness, respect and deepest gratitude that Auschwitz survivors throughout the world bid farewell to Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, who died today. During the many encounters with Kofi Annan and his wife Nane, who originates from the family of Raoul Wallenberg, they experienced sincere empathy, inspiration, recognition and gratitude for their international involvement as surviving contemporary witnesses. ... Sadness, respect and gratitude: on the death of Kofi Annan

02.08.2018

The Federal Court of Justice on the Auschwitz Trial against Reinhold Hanning: “The guilty verdict would have been upheld in the appeal procedure”

On 24 May 2018 the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) decided to close the appeal proceedings in the Auschwitz Trial against the former SS man Reinhold Hanning as an accessory to murder, due to the death of the convicted person in May 2017. The decision has now been presented in writing.

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