Archive Press 2016

March 2016

31.03.2016

On the death of Imre Kertesz: with interminable pain and utter clarity.

On the death of the Hungarian-Jewish writer and Auschwitz survivor Imre Kertesz, Christoph Heubner, Executive Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee dedicated the following words in Berlin:

24.03.2016

Verdict in the genocide case against Radovan Karadzic: clear and exemplary

It is with great satisfaction that the Auschwitz survivors in the International Auschwitz Committee have heartily welcomed the clear and exemplary verdict against Radovan Karadzic in the legal proceedings pursuing the largest European genocide since Auschwitz.

14.03.2016

Right-wing populism returns to Germany in a massive resurge

Survivors of the German concentration and extermination camps view the current election successes of the AfD in Germany as a wake-up call, not just for society in Germany but for all European societies where nationalist separatism and simplistic slogans have led to similar results.

12.03.2016

Commentary on the second day of hearings in Neubrandenburg: Ok, it was bad, that stuff – but go to the cinema instead

09.03.2016

Solidarity with Olivier Ndjimbi-Tshiende: “so toxic, so horrific, so shoddy”

A group of young VW trainees and young Polish college students have written a letter of solidarity to support the protests against the ostracization and expulsion of the priest Olivier Ndjimbi-Tshiende in the Bavarian town of Zorneding. The young people were motivated to protest and act especially...

April 2016

16.04.2016

Auschwitz survivors thank Pope Francis for his journey to Lesbos

Auschwitz survivors from many countries in the International Auschwitz Committee are impressed and deeply moved by the journey Pope Francis has made to the refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos.

07.04.2016

On the death of the SS guard Ernst Tremmel shortly before the start of his trial in Hanau

The former SS guard Ernst Tremmel has died at the age of 93, a few days before his trial was due to begin in Hanau. He was facing the charge of accessory to murder in more than one thousand cases during his time in Auschwitz extermination camp.

May 2016

18.05.2016

Artist Michèle Déodat is awarded the Federal Cross of Merit

The Federal President Joachim Gauck has awarded the Federal Cross of Merit to the French artist Michèle Déodat who has been living in Berlin for many years.

17.05.2016

Exhibition of Holocaust cartoons in Iran: days of shame for Iran, days of grief for the survivors

Commenting on the renewed exhibition of Holocaust cartoons in Iran, Christoph Heubner, Executive Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee, said in Berlin:

16.05.2016

Legal scandal in Neubrandenburg: Auschwitz trial suspended

The court in Neubrandenburg has again postponed proceedings in the trial of former SS medical orderly Hubert Z. who is accused of accessory to murder.

June 2016

16.06.2016

Life Festival in Oswiecim: Performing against Hate, Antisemitism and Xenophobia

Auschwitz-Survivors from all over the world are happy and grateful for the musicians coming to perform at the Life Festival in Oswiecim and bringing their clear message of peace, tolerance and their performing against hate, antisemitism and xenophobia in Europe today.

July 2016

19.07.2016

Letter of the Survivors to the participants of the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day

19.07.2016

Auschwitz survivors pass on letter to the guests at the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, where around 1.5 million young participants from around the globe are expected to gather.

Starting tomorrow, young people from around the globe who are gathering in Krakow for the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day will be visiting the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial.

04.07.2016

The IAC suggests naming a street in Berlin after Elie Wiesel

People are grieving around the globe following the death of the Auschwitz survivor and Nobel Peace Prize Laurate Elie Wiesel. The International Auschwitz Committee proposes naming a street or square after him in the German capital, Berlin.

02.07.2016

On the death of Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel: He spoke and wrote for the Jewish women, children and men murdered in Auschwitz

It is with dismay and great sorrow that the survivors from Auschwitz throughout the world bid farewell to Elie Wiesel, their brother, fellow traveller and friend who was one of humanity’s great teachers to the end of his days.

August 2016

16.08.2016

Appeal in the trial against Oskar Gröning takes to long: Survivors level harsh criticism against the German judicial system and its almost non-existent activity concerning the sentencing of SS perpetrators

In a statement concerning the current appeal procedure in the Auschwitz trial in Lüneburg against the former SS man Oskar Gröning, Christoph Heubner, the Executive Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee said in Berlin:

September 2016

30.09.2016

“Disgust”: IAC on the Holocaust comments of Philippines President Duterte

Survivors of the Holocaust in the International Auschwitz Committee have reacted with pain and disgust at the revolting and inhuman comments of Philippines President Duterte.

28.09.2016

IAC mourns Shimon Peres: “The Holocaust must not become a barrier against faith in decency, in hope and in life.”

On the death of Shimon Peres, Christoph Heubner, the Executive Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee, said in Berlin:

24.09.2016

Bidding farewell to Max Mannheimer

With deepest sorrow and gratitude the International Auschwitz Committee bids farewell to Max Mannheimer – the impressive witness of his times and the crimes of Auschwitz.

19.09.2016

The trial of Hubert Zafke: a nightmare for the survivors of Auschwitz

The Auschwitz trial of the former SS medic Hubert Zafke continued today in Neubrandenburg. The Neubrandenburg Regional Court today rejected the petition accusing the presiding judge Klaus Kabisch of bias which the representatives of the joint plaintiffs entered a week ago on the last day of...

October 2016

31.10.2016

Reformation Anniversary: Luther’s ‘darker side’ – a duty to throw light on anti-Semitism

Holocaust survivors in the International Auschwitz Committee are sincerely hoping that the worldwide celebration of the Reformation Anniversary will also be used to focus on the anti-Semitism that the reformer Martin Luther preached and to discuss the far-reaching consequences.

07.10.2016

Neubrandenburg: judge delays Auschwitz trial

It went almost unnoticed by the public. The Regional court in Neubrandenburg managed to again delay the pending trial of the former SS medic Hubert Z. by cancelling the trial date on Monday 10 October 2016.

November 2016

28.11.2016

On the Federal Court of Justice decision in the Gröning trial: everyone who served in Auschwitz is both responsible and guilty.

Commenting on the Federal Court of Justice decision to throw out the appeal in the Gröning-Auschwitz trial in Lüneburg the Executive Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee Christoph Heubner stressed in Berlin:

16.11.2016

A speedy decision is now required from the Federal Court of Justice in its ruling on a revision in the Lüneburg Auschwitz trial of Oskar Gröning / International Auschwitz Committee. It is "a race against time".

Auschwitz survivors around the world are still waiting for the decision of the Federal Court of Justice on a revision in the Auschwitz trial against Oskar Gröning against whom a judgement was made in July 2015 in Lüneburg. The press office at the Federal Court of Justice was unable to give a...

08.11.2016

9th of November: Survivors of the Holocaust are watching with deep dismay and great concern growing hatred spread by penetrant populism

Looking at the bigger picture, the many meaningful events associated with 9 November in German history also reflect the historical turmoil and joint responsibility of Europe. In this respect, for survivors of the Holocaust the ninth of November is both a German and a European day of remembrance,...

December 2016

22.12.2016

BBC radio broadcast: Prince Charles warned against repeating the European horrors of the past

Prince Charles has spoken out clearly and with deep personal empathy in a BBC radio broadcast he gave today, warning against repeating the European horrors of the past. He reminded listeners of the persecution and murder of Jewish families in Europe by the National Socialists, and he called on the...

12.12.2016

30th anniversary of the International Youth Meeting Center in Oswiecim/Auschwitz

It was Willy Brandt who acquired the first symbolic building block from the stand set up by the Action Reconciliation Service for Peace (ARSP) during the Evangelical Church Congress in West Berlin in 1977. It was for a project that was close to many people’s hearts in both East and West Germany:...

07.12.2016

Auschwitz survivor Adolf Burger from Prague dies at the age of 99

The Auschwitz survivor Adolf Burger has died in Prague at the age of 99. As a result of his ordeals and his personal history in the Nazi concentration and extermination camps he became one of the world’s most famous witnesses of those times.

04.12.2016

Auschwitz survivor speaks out in run-up to the Austrian presidential election: a special thank-you to Gertrude

Auschwitz survivors in many countries who belong to the International Auschwitz Committee are welcoming the result of the presidential election in Austria, which they feel is a clear and very important signal against growing right-wing populism in Europe. But, on this election day, they especially...

Archive Press 2017

January 2017

10.01.2017

The survivors of Auschwitz bid farewell to Roman Herzog

The International Auschwitz Committee bids farewell to Roman Herzog with gratitude and respect.

17.01.2017

NPD prohibition procedure: blind to reality and the needs of the time, a fatal signal to Europe

Commenting in Berlin about the decision of the Federal Constitutional Court on the procedures to ban the NPD, Christoph Heubner, Executive Vice President of the IAC said:

23.01.2017

Herr Höcke remains the right-wing extremist mouthpiece of the AfD

Commenting on the decision of the AfD not to exclude Herr Höcke from the party, Christoph Heubner, the Executive Vice President of the International Auschwitz Committee said in Berlin:

28.01.2017

Holocaust survivors honour the Prince of Wales: Prince Charles will receive the Statue of Remembrance from the International Auschwitz Committee. The presentation is taking place on 9 February at St James’s Palace in London

On 27 January, the day of the liberation of Auschwitz, the International Auschwitz Committee announced that they will be presenting the 2017 Statue of Remembrance to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.

February 2017

10.02.2017

Ambassador for tolerance and humanity: Statue of Remembrance for Prince Charles

The British heir to the throne, Prince Charles, has been awarded the International Auschwitz Committee’s Statue of Remembrance by Holocaust survivors in London. Prince Charles received the award during a meeting with survivors and representatives of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust at St James’s...

17.02.2017

Pope Francis gives courage in a clearly worded letter against intolerance, hatred and xenophobia

Holocaust survivors in the International Auschwitz Committee are grateful, moved and motivated by the Pope’s emphatic message to the World Meeting of Popular Movements.

March 2017

02.03.2017

Public prosecutor’s office in Dresden ducks out: Höcke can carry on

Survivors of the Holocaust are reacting with mounting irritation and disbelief at the scandalous decision of the public prosecutor’s office to close proceedings against the AfD politician Höcke following his inflammatory speech in Dresden, consequently legitimising the speaker’s pronouncements.

15.03.2017

IAC response to the judgement passed in Munich on the leaders of the right-wing extremist group “Oldschool Society”

Auschwitz survivors in the International Auschwitz Committee have emphatically welcomed the court judgement passed today in Munich against the leaders of the right-wing extremist "Oldschool Society".

April 2017

23.04.2017

AfD party conference and elections in Europe: survivors of German concentration camps do not want to have to experience a turn towards the toxic world of European extreme right-wing extremists

Survivors of the German concentration camps are closely following the upcoming elections in Europe and the current AfD party conference with intense interest. They are dismayed at what is emerging from the core of this German party: an increasingly closed view of the world and society underpinned...

May 2017

06.05.2017

Extreme right-wing incidents in the Bundeswehr: Holocaust survivors alert to apparitions from the past

Holocaust survivors in the International Auschwitz Committee are following the current news from the Bundeswehr with growing concern and outrage.

14.05.2017

Auschwitz trial against Zafke in Neubrandenburg: “ominous relic of 1950s German jurisdiction”

In the trial against the former SS medic Hubert Zafke, the regional court in Neubrandenburg is continuing to pursue its biased attitude during proceedings in favour of the accused. The court has now announced, without previously informing the state prosecution or the joint plaintiffs, that...

15.05.2017

Reaction to application for political asylum in Hungary by the Holocaust denier Horst Mahler in Hungary: horror

Survivors of the Holocaust in Hungary are reacting with horror and outrage at news that the Holocaust denier Horst Mahler is currently in Hungary and might ask the Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán for asylum.

30.05.2017

Neo-Nazi trial at Koblenz regional court: not strong and decisive, more of a dwarfish state

Following the shameful end of the Koblenz trial, the survivors of the German concentration and extermination camps are disappointed and angry at the obvious organisational incompetence of the constitutional state.

June 2017

24.06.2017

Auschwitz trial in Neubrandenburg: Judges have been given red card for prejudice

At long last a major change has been achieved in the Auschwitz trial in Neubrandenburg where the presiding judge Klaus Kabisch and two other judges in the chamber concerned have been given a red card for prejudice. For Auschwitz survivors, this comes as an extremely belated and bitter recognition...

30.06.2017

With great sadness and gratitude: Farewell to Simone Veil

It is with great sadness and gratitude that the International Auschwitz Committee bids farewell to Simone Veil, the Jewish-French survivor of Auschwitz who gave a powerful voice to democracy, France and Europe for many years.

30.06.2017

European Ceremony for Simone Veil

Auschwitz survivors throughout the world are mourning the death of the French-Jewish Auschwitz survivor Simone Veil, who spoke out for them and their murdered relatives for many years.

August 2017

22.08.2017

Performance entitled “Auschwitz on the beach” at the documenta in Kassel

Auschwitz survivors are becoming increasingly angry and shaking their heads in disbelief at the announcement of and the reasoning behind the art performance entitled “Auschwitz on the beach” which will be shown at the documenta in Kassel.

30.08.2017

The General Meeting of the International Auschwitz Committee – the United Nations Secretary General thanks the survivors

In Oswiecim, Poland, the 15th General Meeting of the International Auschwitz Committee has begun not far from the gate of the former German concentration and extermination camp. Survivors from the camp, their relatives and delegates from Auschwitz foundations in sixteen countries have travelled...

September 2017

05.09.2017

Nuremberg prohibits Mr Gauland from speaking in an upcoming election campaign event / AfD constantly spreads hatred in its election campaign

Auschwitz survivors in the International Auschwitz Committee welcome the decision taken by the city of Nuremberg to prohibit Mr Gauland from speaking in an upcoming election campaign event at the city’s Meistersingerhalle following his verbal attacks and disgracefully inhuman outbursts.

11.09.2017

Myanmar / Rohingya: ethnic cleansing

Auschwitz survivors throughout the world are horrified and deeply saddened by the images that are reaching them from Myanmar, and by the actions of ethnic cleansing that are leading to the persecution and humiliation of the Rohingya people, to their murder and expulsion before the eyes of the...

23.09.2017

International Auschwitz Committee reaction to the parliamentary election and the AfD – Holocaust survivors issue watershed warning

For survivors from Auschwitz and of the Holocaust, the solid reliability and the vitality of democracy in Germany was, and is, decisively linked with the decades of undaunted efforts by people in Germany to raise public awareness and acknowledgement of the crimes committed under the Nazi state and...

24.09.2017

Parliamentary election – AfD enters the Bundestag: the first serious test for German democracy

Holocaust survivors feel that today’s election result for the AfD in Germany is difficult to bear. It looks as if more than 13 per cent of the votes have been given to a party in which thickly woven threads of Nazi ideology are widespread and deep-rooted. In this situation the Auschwitz survivors...

October 2017

05.10.2017

IAC welcomes Literature Nobel Prize for Kazuo Ishiguro

The International Auschwitz Committee is especially pleased with this year’s award of the Nobel Prize in Literature to the British writer Kazuo Ishiguro.

November 2017

05.11.2017

The commemorative inverted B is now travelling from Kassel to Oswiecim: the message from the survivors had become a part of Kassel and the documenta 14

On Monday 6 November, the International Auschwitz Committee’s 5.2-tonne sculpture of the letter B, which acts as a reminder of the secret act of defiance of Auschwitz prisoners when they deliberately inverted the letter B in the cynical inscription above the main camp gate “Work makes you free”...

08.11.2017

Germany’s Federal President Steinmeier receives the presidium of the International Auschwitz Committee on 9 November – Night of Broken Glass Remembrance Day

Wreath-laying in Berlin by Auschwitz survivors and young people on 9 November at 10 noon, Wittenbergplatz/commemorative plaque

15.11.2017

The situation of the Rohingya people in Myanmar: “A bitter and very painful conclusion”

In September this year the International Auschwitz Committee already spoke out against the persecution and sufferings of the Rohingya people that has been intensifying since October 2016 in Myanmar. In August 2017 the army increased the mass murders and acts of rape as they scoured the Rohingya...

22.11.2017

Judgement in the genocide trial against General Mladic: “The existence of the UN War Crimes Tribunal provides proof of mankind’s ability to learn”

Auschwitz survivors have greeted the verdict against former General Mladic with great satisfaction and sympathy for the victims. They have welcomed the judgement of the UN War Crimes Tribunal against him on the counts of genocide in Srebrenica, on expulsion, mass killings and war crimes.

December 2017

01.12.2017

Major Auschwitz exibition opens in Madrid: Auschwitz survivors thank the Auschwitz Memorial. Exhibition preceded by anti-Semitic hate mails and racist remarks in the social media.

A major Auschwitz exhibition opened to the public today in Madrid. Numerous exhibits from the Auschwitz Memorial have been assembled by the Dutch historian Jan van Pelt and the director of the management of the Polish Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum.

11.12.2017

On the anti-Semitic outbursts at demonstrations not only in Berlin and the reactions of German politicians

It is with sadness and pain that Auschwitz survivors are following the renewed escalations in hatred towards Jewish people in view of the demonstrations against Israel.

21.12.2017

Outbreaks of anti-Semitism: ‘All too self-assured about having overcome its past’

Holocaust survivors see the renewed outbreaks of anti-Semitic hatred in Germany as a historical caesura.