Does Saxony need a documentation center on NSU terror? The country has commissioned a concept for this, which is to be presented in May. However, Zwickau’s Mayor Arndt warns that the focus of such a facility should be broadened.
Zwickau (dpa / sn) – Zwickau’s Mayor Constance Arndt (independent) wants to force the investigation into the right-wing extremist terrorist cell NSU, but is skeptical about the documentation center promoted by the state. It is undisputed that the discussion and processing as a city society must continue, said Arndt of the German Press Agency. There will also be other dialogue formats in Zwickau and an exhibition in the coming year.
The state government also supports plans for a documentation center on NSU terrorism and has commissioned a concept from the Association for Regional Offices for Education, Integration and Democracy (RAA Sachsen). According to the association, this should be handed over to the Ministry of Justice at the beginning of May. Chemnitz and Zwickau are being discussed as locations.
The focus of such an institution on the NSU (“National Socialist Underground”) does not go far enough for Arndt: “It blurs the view of other right-wing extremists and other extreme phenomena.” In addition, the whole thing must be oriented towards the future. It is about questions about the causes of extremism and how such acts, such as extremism and racism, can be avoided, said Arndt. “I’m definitely available for that.” Such a broader orientation must then also be reflected in the name of the center.
In Zwickau, a memorial in the Schwanenteich Park commemorates the murder victims of the NSU: eight small business owners of Turkish origin and one small business owner of Greek origin, as well as a German policewoman. There is a tree with a commemorative plaque for each of them. Since October, there has also been a series of dialogues in Zwickau on how the city should continue to deal with the processing of the NSU complex. This was moderated by the State Center for Civic Education; the conclusion was on Wednesday evening.
Despite differences of opinion, there was consensus that much more had to be done for political education and enlightenment, Arndt emphasized. This is where the new center should start. Otherwise, it should be critically questioned what such a documentation center can actually do in terms of clarification on the NSU after the year-long process at the Munich Higher Regional Court and investigative committees in several parliaments. Arndt also demanded that the creation of such a center must take place in a democratic process. This is important in order to take many people with us and to create more acceptance in the population.
After fleeing Jena in the late 1990s, the NSU trio first found refuge in Chemnitz with the help of supporters and raised money with robberies in the region. Later, the right-wing terrorists lived undisturbed in Zwickau for years. They are responsible for ten murders and other crimes.
To this day, it is still traumatic for some people to realize that there were people in their environment who were capable of such acts, Arndt explained, looking back on the exchange at the dialogue forums. “There is consensus in urban society that these acts will be rejected.” Therefore, in her opinion, it is wrong if Zwickau is shown in connection with the NSU and the impression of a perpetrator town is given. “The attitude of the people from Zwickau is no different than those from Bochum, Berlin and Heidelberg.”
