Gebhardt Weiss. MAY 9. “The Germans Understand”

It is not easy for me to write these words. Not only as a representative of modern Germany, but also as a member of the generation for whom a central question to one's parents has always been: “So what position did you hold during those times?”

40 years ago, partially because of this issue, we took to the streets. The purpose of the student revolution of 1968 was not only to secure more freedom and democracy in Germany, but also to obtain clearer answers to the questions regarding concrete responsibility for the crimes of fascism.

In the beginning we knew so little about this. The historical and personal truths were relegated to the sphere of the subconscious. The perpetrators of crimes often presented themselves as the victims, and many of the true victims having survived all the horrors of those times, preferred to remain silent rather than to speak.

The 50s were dominated by the pervasive reality of the “Cold War” and this, in every possible way, detracted from questions of responsibility for the previous period. Only in the 60s has the need to learn the truth has become an imperative, and with knowledge of the truth has come more freedom in Germany and more confidence among Germans regarding their place in the world.

In the 70s Willy Brandt became a symbol of those changes. He kneeled before the memorial to the Warsaw ghetto and, though we realise it was unseen at the time, we realise now in retrospect that it began the fall of the Berlin Wall.

We did not immediately understand the path that led Germany to Nazi dictaitorship and the subsequent catastrophe. We understand now that it began before January, 30th, 1933, before Hitler seized power. This became possible because at that time too many Germans did not realize the opportunities of democracy and instead were seduced by the temptations of left or right authoritarianism. Because the German middle classes, although they quoted Goethe and Schiller's humanistic values, did not insist on them in practice. Because the Professors, though trained in the categorical imperatives of Kant, neglected them in reality. Because the Churches, though they preached the precepts of “Love Thy Neighbour” and “Thou Shalt not Kill”, but did not put enough effort into inculcating them. Because in Germany there existed increasing intolerance and a readiness for violence, and equally a paralysing fear to take a stand against these tendencies.

Thus political cruelty grew in Germany and was immediately reinforced after January 30, 1933, with seizure of power by Hitler.

German government policy became a crime against the people. At first they took away a left inclined neighbour at night; and only a few expressed outrage. Next they took away a right inclined neighbour in broad daylight, and almost no-one expressed outrage. All this proceeded almost without hindrance. In their houses hardly anyone remained who dared to even look out at what was happening, let alone protest. The checks and balances against the abuse of governmental power were systematically eliminated. So, in Germany, first we lost our freedom, then the law and finally civilization itself.

From then on there were no internal constraints to suppress the export of aggression, oppression and destruction. In ever increasing swathes of Europe the Germans destroyed peace, freedom and justice. Germany did not wage a conventional war. This was a war, especially in the East, of annihilation and fully integrated into this war machine was the increasingly brutal implementation of the Holocaust.

This unprecedented criminal policy has become a burden, both for Germans today and future generations. From this we cannot escape. We, the following generation, although not personally responsible for the criminal policies of the time, are now responsible for the manner in which we move forward from this grim period in European history. Our responsibility today is to not forget that horror, not to deny or minimize it. We must perceive it as an indelible part of our history.

We owe it to the victims of that time to remain vigilant and not for a moment to forget the brutal lessons of history. It is not enough to bow for today to the suffering of the victims, but tomorrow forget the lessons of that terrible time. Countless victims have left us forever. Our duty: not to allow a recurrence of that catastrophe in any place, at any time.

But, if we do not remember it, then this is impossible. We must remember how short is the path between authoritarianism and dictatorship. Democracy is powerless if it does not defend against this, if human rights and fundamental freedoms are not respected or violated, if there is a growing intolerance in a society and a readiness for conflict. A principal lesson and crucial requirement: no one should live in fear because they belong to another nationality or ethnic group, or another religion or belief system, that is: no-one should be afraid to be different.

We owe it to the victims of that time. We owe it to those who still live among us.

I therefore address myself directly to the veterans here in the Republic of Belarus, who represent many who today are no longer with us: Naturally, the older generation in Germany on this day thinks about their own defeat and pain, which they experienced from the inevitable consequence of the German policy of violence and crime. But it is also true that your contribution to the liberation of your homeland, then the Soviet Union, to whom among the allies in the war against Nazi Germany fell the main burden and the highest price for victory - 27 million dead, is now perceived by us - the Germans - as a contribution to our own liberation from fascism.

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