Nine people lost their lives in the racist attack in Hanau three years ago. Representatives of the Hessian state politics are certain: to commemorate them also obliges us to act together against racism and right-wing extremism.
Wiesbaden/Hanau (dpa/lhe) – On the third anniversary of the racist attack in Hanau this Sunday, politicians and experts called for a clear stand against racism and right-wing extremism. Right-wing extremism is currently the greatest threat to a free, democratic society, said Hesse’s state parliament president Astrid Wallmann (CDU) on Friday in Wiesbaden. “To oppose this ideology decisively and with all means is the task and obligation of all state power – but also of all citizens of our country.”
The attack in Hanau has kept many people busy to this day – above all the survivors and victims. “Even three years after the terrible act, our message is clear and unmistakable: the victims of Hanau were a part of us, they were our fellow citizens. The victims are not ‘the others’ – ‘the others’ are the perpetrators,” stressed Wallman. “Let us take the commemoration of the victims as an opportunity to counter xenophobia even more decisively. February 19, 2020 reminds us of this responsibility and obligation.”
That evening, a 43-year-old German murdered nine people in Hanau for racist reasons. He then killed his mother and himself. The victims will be remembered at a commemoration ceremony on Hanau’s market square and other events this Sunday.
Even three years later, this “despicable and racially motivated attack is still a reminder to remember, but above all to act,” said the chairwoman of the CDU parliamentary group, Ines Claus. “Neither the crime nor the nine victims must be forgotten. Our memory, our heartfelt sympathy and our solidarity go to them, their families and friends on this sad and dark day.”
The chairman of the Greens parliamentary group, Mathias Wagner, also expressed his condolences to the relatives. “Words cannot mitigate the loss of a loved one,” he said. “But we can show through our actions that we stand united and resolutely against racism and right-wing extremism.” The leader of the left-wing faction, Elisabeth Kula, emphasized: “It is clear to us: Remembrance, education, justice and political consequences must remain our slogan. Because none of this can be taken for granted and all too often has to be fought for, often against ignorance in the authorities.”
According to experts, the number of people seeking advice after racist incidents has increased noticeably nationwide and in Hesse over the past two to three years. This is probably also due to the fact that such incidents, which affect a large number of people, are now seen and named more clearly, said Reiner Becker, head of the Hesse Democracy Center based at the Philipps University in Marburg, the German Press Agency. For him, this is also related to the processing and debate about acts like the one in Hanau.
“These murders are based on attitudes and prejudices that are widespread and not abstract,” explained Becker. The work of initiatives in Hanau and nationwide is all the more important to draw attention to the topic. “The initiatives are the thorn in the flesh. We live in a society that needs this thorn,” said Becker.
