Düsseldorf/Solingen (dpa/lnw) – The North Rhine-Westphalian state parliament held a minute’s silence in memory of Mevlüde Genç, who died at the age of 79. MEPs rose from their seats at the start of Wednesday’s plenary session in Düsseldorf.
President of the Landtag André Kuper praised Genç as an “impressive ambassador for peace”. She endured unimaginable pain and endured “immeasurable, personal suffering”. Nevertheless, she countered hate and violence “with forgiveness and love,” said Kuper. “We urgently need the attitude behind it when we think of the recent arson attacks on refugee accommodation.”
On May 29, 1993, right-wing extremists set fire to the family home in Solingen. The Genç couple lost two daughters, two granddaughters and a niece. Shortly after the assassination, Mevlüde Genç called for reconciliation and repeatedly warned that hatred must be stopped. “She remains a role model for us in reconciliation and reconciliation, even after her death,” said Kuper.
Around 1,000 people said goodbye to the scene of the arson attack on Tuesday. NRW Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) emphasized in Solingen that Genç had “reached a hand for peace and reconciliation” despite their terrible loss. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had previously honored the bearer of the Federal Cross of Merit.
