Recalling Turkish arson victims
The German chancellor and fellow politicians honour the victims of a firebombing 25 years ago.
Dusseldorf/Solingen (dpa) - Leading German and Turkish politicians Tuesday have commemorated the victims of a racist arson attack in the city of Solingen 25 years ago.
In Dusseldorf, Chancellor Angela Merkel and Mevlude Genc, the 75-year-old mother, grandmother and aunt of the victims, held speeches. Also speaking at the ceremonies were the Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet, and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusogulu.
Merkel said that hostility toward foreigners, racism and anti-Semitism did not have a place in Germany or anywhere else. Germany, because of the breakdown of civilization with the Shoah during the Nazi period, had a special responsibility to work towards dignified human coexistence, she said.
The ceremonies come 25 years after four right-wing extremist men set fire to a house belonging to the ethnic-Turkish family Genc in the city of Solingen just east of Dusseldorf on the night of May 29, 1993. Five women and girls died in the blaze.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called for greater civil courage in the battle against right-wing extremism and anti-foreigner hostility.
"We should speak up when we experience seeing people being discriminated against at work due to their background," Maas said in the text of his speech published before memorial ceremonies later in the day in Solingen. "We must get involved if the talk in one's family or circle of friends slide off into holow resentment."
Shortly after the arson attack 25 years ago, Mevlude Genc issued an appeal for peaceful cooperation and reconciliation of people, an act that earned her the greatest respect.