World Jewish Congress welcomes Demjanjuk conviction
Ronald Lauder: No impunity or closure for perpetrators of the Holocaust and their helpers
NEW YORK / BRUSSELS – The World Jewish Congress (WJC) has welcomed today’s conviction by a court in Munich of Ukrainian-born Ivan [John] Demjanjuk for helping to murder at least 27,900 Jews while serving as a guard in the Nazi death camp Sobibor during World War II. Demjanjuk was sentenced to five years in prison. “There must never be impunity or closure for those who were involved in mass murder and genocide, irrespective of their age,” said WJC President Ronald S. Lauder in a first reaction.
Lauder added: “Over the past 18 months, the judges undertook a painstaking search for the truth and conducted an extensive and meticulous trial, which was not an easy task nearly seven decades after the events. Despite endless and sometimes dubious attempts by Mr. Demjanjuk’s defense to discredit this trial, the judges have now handed down a clear verdict. Although he did not cooperate with the court in any way or admit remorse, Mr. Demjanjuk received a fair trial and a mild sentence, considering his actions at Sobibor.
“Belatedly, justice has now been done, and the family members of those who were brutally murdered in Sobibor will certainly welcome this verdict. We praise Germany for continuing to prosecute Nazi war criminals and their helpers, and we urge authorities there – and in other European countries – not to relent in their quest for bringing the perpetrators of the Holocaust to justice,” the WJC president said.
“John Demjanjuk was one of many perpetrators, and there are still a few old men out there who have the blood of innocent Shoah victims on their hands. The World Jewish Congress will continue to press for them to be tried before the courts of law,” Lauder said.
About the World Jewish Congress
The World Jewish Congress is the international organization representing Jewish communities in 92 countries around the world. The WJC serves as the diplomatic arm of the Jewish people to governments, parliaments and international organizations.
