The sentence he deserved
The president of the World Jewish Congress has welcomed the sentencing to five years’ imprisonment of a former Auschwitz guard.
Reinhold Hanning Photo: Wikipedia
The Detmold court’s verdict in the trial of former Auschwitz camp guard Reinhold Hanning had found him guilty of complicity in the murder of at least 170,000 people at the German death camp during World War II.
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said 94-year-old Hanning was part of a “merciless killing machine,” adding: “He got the sentence he deserved.”
Pronouncing the verdict, Judge Anke Grudda told Hanning: “You were at Auschwitz for nearly two and a half years, and you thus abetted mass murder.”
Ronald S. Lauder declared: “This trial came decades late, but we welcome the fact that it took place, and we are glad that the court allowed for many Auschwitz survivors to be heard. Mr. Hanning got a fair trial, and today’s verdict is very clear: He was complicit in mass murder. He was part of a merciless killing machine. Without the active participation of people like him, Auschwitz would not have been possible.
Reinhold Hanning Photo: Wikipedia
“Yet for seven decades, he and many of his SS comrades were allowed to lead peaceful lives. Most never had to answer for their crimes.
“It is important that people who took part in genocide and crimes against humanity are being tried in a court of law, irrespective of their age. The Jewish people expects that no stone is left unturned when it comes to dealing properly with the crimes committed during the Holocaust.
“There can be no impunity for genocide, mass murder or crimes against humanity, and old age is not a mitigating factor.
“Germany should continue to address the darkest chapter of its history, and Germans should be vigilant vis-à-vis all expressions of racism, antisemitism and xenophobia,” said the WJC president.
Reinhold told the court: “I want to say that it disturbs me deeply that I was part of such a criminal organisation. I am ashamed that I saw injustice and never did anything about it and I apologise for my actions. I am very, very sorry.”
For heaven’s sake, the gentleman’s age of 94 must surely and humanely be a mitigating factor, especially as he has made a statement of what appears to be a sincere statement of contrition. Ronald Lauder, you are a heartless man- Revenge has its limits
These days the catch cry is either a statute of limitations or mercy and forgiveness and justice just a by word.
Many have been truly set free only when they’ve been held accountable and convicted of their crimes whether they realize it or not is another matter.
At the same time Hanning was sentenced, the German foreign minister hosted a warm welcoming banquet for the Iranian foreign minister at a castle outside Berlin. This warm affirmation of German ties with Iran occurred not long after Iran held its Holocaust Cartoon Contest, when Iran regularly calls for Israel’s destruction and when next week, Iran will sponsor its annual Al Quds March through Berlin, calling for Israel’s destruction. Germany refuses to ban this annual event.
So when the sentence is welcomed ( though because appeals take years and the defendant goes home till then) please bear in mind Germany’s forked tongue and hypocrisy about its “special relationship” with Israel and Jews.