According to research by NDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung, there have been more than 100 right-wing extremist attacks on memorial sites from the Nazi era in the past six years. The actual number is probably much higher.
Right-wing extremists in Germany repeatedly attack memorial sites for the victims of National Socialism. Every few weeks, commemorative plaques, stumbling blocks or former concentration camps are smeared or partially destroyed. According to research by NDR and “Süddeutsche Zeitung” it has been in the past six years more than 100 right-wing extremist attacks. The actual number is probably much higher, since the incidents are not recorded centrally across Germany. During the research, specific attacks on memorial sites were documented. The chronology does not record any cases of Holocaust denials at demonstrations or swastika graffiti on house walls.
Numerous incidents also in the north
In May 2016, unknown perpetrators daubed the walls and information boards of the Schillstrasse concentration camp memorial in Braunschweig. A few days earlier, right-wing extremists had disrupted a memorial event. Wreaths laid down after an event were trampled on. A year later, unknown persons sprayed silver paint and the word “lie” on dozens of plaques at the concentration camp memorial. In September 2018, the lighting of the Holocaust memorial on the Opernplatz in Hanover was violently destroyed.
Memorials in Northern Germany
But the attacks are not always directed against memorial sites for Jews. In November 2018 in Boldtshof in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, for example, red paint was poured over a memorial to 22 Wehrmacht soldiers who deserted and were shot dead in the spring of 1945. In Bohmte in Lower Saxony, unknown persons smeared the word “Adolf” on an information board in a cemetery. Nazi victims, prisoners of war and forced laborers are buried in the cemetery.
NDR and “Süddeutsche Zeitung” have compiled the politically motivated attacks on memorial sites from newspaper articles, conversations with memorial site employees and minutes of city council meetings, among other things. Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth condemned the attacks on the memorial sites as deeply shameful. The number of attacks is extremely alarming and shows once again that Germany has a responsibility to keep the memory of the National Socialist crimes alive.
