Germany commemorates 75 years of the Nuremberg trials
The number two of the Nazi regime Hermann Göring at the Nuremberg trials, November 21, 1945. AP
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4 min
75 years ago a historic founding trial of international criminal law began in Nuremberg in Germany.
For the first time, the leaders of a country, those of the Nazi regime, had to answer for their crimes before an international court.
A commemorative ceremony took place this Friday evening, November 20 in the room of the Nuremberg Tribunal.
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With our correspondent in Berlin,
Pascal Thibaut
“
Never give up, never give up, never give up
”.
Benjamin Ferencz is 100 years old but continues to fight to advance international law.
His video message from the United States is a call to complete international criminal law, the foundations of which were laid 75 years ago in room 600 of the Nuremberg Tribunal where the commemorative ceremony is being held.
Benjamin Ferencz was the prosecutor of one of the trials which succeeded in this same room to the first one opened in November 1945.
Wars are going on even as I speak to you.
They claim victims all over the world.
We plan mass attacks, we spend billions of dollars every day to produce weapons to kill other people.
Young people are sent into combat to kill other young people they do not even know.
And this is how we defend our interests wherever they are.
It is a form of madness.
Those who do that may say I'm crazy, but I think they're the ones who are crazy.
Like the world we live in.
I won't live very long.
Those responsible must face this reality.
Do what is in your power.
My slogan is "law and not war".
And I add: “never give up, never give up, never give up”.
Benjamin Ferencz, one of the Nuremberg trial prosecutors
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier underlined in his speech the historic turning point that the Nuremberg trial meant for international criminal law.
“
The Nuremberg trials were a revolution.
It was not only a major legal breakthrough, it also opened a new page in world history.
Without this tribunal, the International Criminal Court in The Hague would not exist today,
he explained.
But we see how difficult it is with such a jurisdiction and principles of law to advance justice in the world.
"
► Also to listen: 75 years later, Nuremberg or the birth of international criminal law
Frank-Walter Steinmeier also regretted that two of the winners of World War II who wanted the Nuremberg Tribunal, the United States and Russia, did not sign and ratify the statutes of the International Criminal Court.
An absence like that of other States which reduces the means of this jurisdiction and makes the indefatigable fight of the former prosecutor Benjamin Ferencz even more relevant.
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Germany
Second World War
Justice