War criminals in Germany: justice or safe refuge?

War criminals in Germany: justice or safe refuge?

In a gripping podcast series, Azadê Peşmen examines the explosive question of whether Germany is a safe haven for war criminals. The series “Amnesty Germany” consists of five insightful episodes and offers insights into various cases, ranging from escape to justice to legal processing. The first episode looks at the case of former secret service agent Anwar Raslan, who lives in Berlin and became known thanks to a refugee. He is on trial in Koblenz for serious crimes. This addresses the crucial question: Can there be justice for the victims of such crimes? WDR reports.

The second episode is dedicated to the former military commander Luis Kyburg from Argentina, who continues to live unmolested in Berlin despite an international manhunt for crimes against humanity. This makes it clear why he was never extradited to Argentina - an example of how complex the legal and political challenges are in this issue.

Crimes against humanity and how to deal with them

Another focus is on the IS terrorist Taha Al J., who was convicted in Germany after a five-year-old girl died of thirst. This episode addresses the world's first legally binding verdict for genocide against the Yazidis and shows how international law also works in Germany. Many people are probably thinking about how the constitutional state deals with the past, particularly with regard to war criminals and their convictions.

The fourth episode is dedicated to the Armenian genocide and the murder of Talât Pasha, one of the masterminds. Acquittals by the German judiciary raise questions about Germany's involvement in this terrible chapter of history. The final episode covers the 1993 Sivas attack, in which Islamists set fire to the Hotel Madımak while participants in an Alevi festival were staying there. Some of the perpetrators still live unpunished in Germany today, which raises the question of extradition. Spectrum illuminated.

The role of international criminal law

The legal investigation of crimes like these is not only of national importance, but also internationally relevant. International criminal law, which has existed in Germany for over 20 years, enables the German judiciary to prosecute genocide and crimes against humanity regardless of the crime scene. The Federal Ministry of Justice emphasizes the importance of protecting these universal legal interests and ensuring the accountability of perpetrators.

Boris Burghardt repeatedly speaks out, distinguishing between four phases of dealing with Nazi crimes. The first phase begins after the Second World War with the Nuremberg Trials, in which new criminal offenses were established. However, subsequent periods show hesitancy and often inadequate legal action against those responsible for untold suffering. Burghardt emphasizes that legal action is never independent of the social context, which continues to be important at the moment.

At a time when the universal claim of international law is threatened by power-political interests, the question remains open as to whether Germany can be considered a safe haven for everyone - or whether the serious crimes of the past must also have noticeable consequences in the present.