“Right-wing extremism remains the greatest extremist threat to our democracy”

type:
News

, Topic:
Security

, Date:
27 February 2023

Remembering the racist attack in Hanau three years ago

Source:
Peter Jülich

Three years ago, nine people were killed as part of a racist attack in the city of Hanau, Hesse. The horrific attack has left indelible scars on both the city’s and Germany’s collective memory. The victims’ relatives and friends still feel the pain of losing their loved ones. Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser attended the memorial service in Hanau’s central square on the anniversary of the attack.

“We will never forget Gökhan Gültekin, Sedat Gürbüz, Said Nesar Hashemi, Mercedes Kierpacz, Hamza Kurtović, Vili Viorel Păun, Fatih Saraçoğlu, Ferhat Unvar and Kaloyan Velkov.”

Following the service, Federal Minister Faeser joined survivors and victims’ relatives at an exhibition on the attack and how it was carried out.

: Gedenkveranstaltung Hanau 2023 …

Gedenkveranstaltung Hanau 2023

Source:
Peter Jülich

Gedenkveranstaltung Hanau 2023 (Larger version opens in new window)

Centre for Diversity and Democracy in Hanau – a 2022 national urban development project

After the racist attack in February 2020, the municipal authorities and city council of Hanau decided to open the Zentrum für Vielfalt und Demokratie (Centre for Diversity and Democracy). This centre was one of 18 “visionary” initiatives across Germany selected by the Federal Government for its 2022 programme of national urban development projects. On Sunday, Federal Minister Faeser handed over the grant notification of 3.4 million euros to Hanau’s mayor, Claus Kaminsky.

Federal Minister Faeser emphasised: “This funding will make it possible to set up a place of remembrance where people can meet. It shows that we stand together as a society and have zero tolerance for right-wing extremism. Right-wing extremism remains one of the greatest threats to our democracy. We will do everything we can to better protect people who are at risk of being threatened and attacked in our country.”