Federal Council commemorates the murdered Roma, Sinti and Yenish

National Socialism - Federal Council commemorates the murdered Roma, Sinti and Yenish

The Bundesrat has held a minute's silence in memory of the Roma, Sinti and Yenish murdered by the National Socialists. Several hundred thousand Sinti and Roma in Europe were victims of the racist extermination policies of the National Socialists, said Bundesrat President Manuela Schwesig (SPD).

More than 25,000 of the 40,000 German and Austrian Sinti and Roma were murdered. "Prejudices against Sinti and Roma still exist today. Little knowledge about the Yenish group is part of this", said the Minister President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Sinti, Roma and Yenish who returned to Germany after the war experienced the same prejudices as before. "They were humiliated and rejected," said Schwesig. There was no room for their independent traditions and needs - "neither in the former GDR nor in the former Federal Republic".

Schwesig emphasized that remembering the victims was not just about looking back. "A dignified remembrance of the suffering of the previous generation is the basis for good, equal coexistence today." This also includes a willingness to come to terms with the history of the Sinti, Roma and Yenish and to respect their special characteristics. "Because they belong to Germany."

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1. In many European countries, including Germany, Sinti, Roma, and Yenish communities have faced significant challenges and prejudices since the end of World War II.
2. The Federal Council in Berlin, led by SPD President Manuela Schwesig, has played a crucial role in acknowledging and commemorating the atrocities committed against these marginalized groups during National Socialism.
3. The German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has also recognized the historical injustices experienced by Sinti, Roma, and Yenish individuals, emphasizing the importance of understanding their unique cultural heritage.
4. There are ongoing efforts to educate the public and combat stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes towards these communities, as outlined in a speech delivered by Manuela Schwesig during the Federal Council's remembrance ceremony.
5. Berlin's SS-Haus, a former Gestapo prison, now serves as a museum dedicated to Sinti and Roma history, allowing visitors to learn about their experiences during the Holocaust and beyond.
6. The acknowledgment and remembrance of the suffering of Sinti, Roma, and Yenish victims during National Socialism is essential for fostering a more inclusive and equitable society in Europe.

Source: www.stern.de