CAMPAIGN REPORT

Silence Kills - Resist Against Intolerance 9 November International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism

Commemorations in more than 35 countries all over Europe!
- Anti nazi choir sings in Denmark
- Educational action in 15 cities in Spain
- Neo-nazi attacks in Poland
- More than 300.000 people demonstrate all over Germany

Action against fascism: Examples
At European level, commemorations of November 9th have taken place since the 50th anniversary in 1988. The commemoration has taken on a new meaning as we remember not only the victims from 1938, but also campaign against the rise of neo-nazism and racism in Europe today, and show support for the recent victims of racist and fascist attacks. The UNITED network organises each year a European-wide campaign to commemorate the past, protest against the present and build the future. It is the variety and creativity of many different simultaneous activities all over Europe that make the UNITED campaigns unique. In this report you will find examples of activities that may serve as an inspiration and motivation for the preparation of your own action during the campaign in 2001.
The UNITED office produced a special calendar of activities taking place on the occasion of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom commemorations all around Europe. The public is informed about the activities by a media release. UNITED also produced a poster which supported many (especially small) organisations in their work. The poster displays on its front-side the slogan "Silence Kills. Resist Against Intolerance" and explains the backgrounds of the campaign on the backside. Special attention was given to the situation of Roma in Europe and the different possibilities for resisting against intolerance, such as by campaigning, by bringing together groups of different backgrounds, by starting up an education project etc.
In 2001 UNITED will co-ordinate again the campaign around 9 November, International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism. Please keep the office informed about your plans.



A short history of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom
In Germany on November 9th 1938, the Nazis started a pogrom against the Jews. After the Nazis came to power in 1933, Jews were subjected to harsh laws against them - being forced to hand over their businesses to 'Aryans', only being allowed to shop in Jewish-owned shops, children only allowed to go to Jewish schools etc.
On November 6th, a young Jew living in Paris, Herschel Grynszpan, received a postcard from his father Zindel who had been deported, along with 18.000 other German Jews, on October 27th to the Polish frontier. The postcard described the terrible conditions that the deportees were living under. Herschel Grynszpan was so angered by what he read that he went to the German Embassy in Paris and shot the first German official that he saw, Ernst vom Rath, a diplomatic assistant. Vom Rath died of his injuries on November 8th and the news of his death reached Germany the next day. The Nazis and Hitler denounced the killing as part of a Jewish world-wide conspiracy against Germany.
The pogrom started in Berlin on November 9th 1938, organised unofficially by Hitler's SA storm troops.
Synagogues were set on fire. Jewish shops had their windows smashed across the country, which gave rise to the name "Kristallnacht", which freely translated means the Night of Broken Glass. Many Jews were physically attacked too. More than 7000 Jewish businesses across the country were attacked. Around 200 synagogues were destroyed and 91 Jews were killed. More than 30.000 were arrested and sent to concentration camps. Many of these were killed in the following two months.
The "Kristallnacht" pogrom is usually seen as the symbolic beginning of the Holocaust, the systematic murder of over 6 million Jews, over a million Roma and Sinti, gay people as well as communists, trade unionists and many others.
The word "Kristallnacht" was given by the Nazis themselves to the pogrom, because it mocked what had happened. German anti-fascists today prefer to describe the events of this night as Reichspogromnacht, although in most other countries, the term is still used as it is more well-known.
Although there is only one Holocaust, genocide has taken place in several places on several occasions after World War II. "Never Again" does not mean that it has never happened again. It means that we commit ourselves to do everything in our power to make sure that it does not happen again.



What is UNITED?
Racism, nationalism, fascism, discrimination, restrictive asylum policies... These issues have a European dimension. It is important to fight intolerance on all levels. Linked through UNITED, hundreds of organisations from a wide variety of backgrounds, from all European countries, work together on a voluntary basis. They base their co-operation on common actions and shared activities on a mutual respect. UNITED is and will remain independent from all political parties, organisations and states, but seeks an active co-operation with other anti-racist initiatives in Europe.
Through the UNITED network organisations meet each other, work on common actions and share information. European-wide action weeks, campaigns and such are planned and discussed on UNITED conferences. Like-minded organisations find each other on such conferences and work together on specific projects and on specific topics. The workers in the secretariat are in constant contact with the network organisations, ensuring that information and proposals for action are transmitted rapidly. Information is received from more than 1700 organisations and mailings go out to about 2000 groups in Europe.
If you want to get involved... Discuss the ideas and aims of the UNITED network within your organisation. Let us know that your organisation would like to join or receive information. And add us to your mailing list!!

ALBANIA
Albania has become a "bridge-country" for people, who are looking for a better life in the EU and try to overcome "Fortress Europe". They take the risk of passing the sea to Italy with dangerous speedboats conducted by maffiosi smugglers. It is not difficult to imagine that these problems affect the whole Albanian society: there is hardly any family that does not have a relative living abroad as a refugee. Political work is difficult in Albania. The economic situation is very bad and the technical requirements in the country make especially electronic communication extremely difficult.
Despite this situation the organisations keep up their work, although most of the planned projects find no financial support. For the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism 2000, the Albanian Center for Peace and Democracy organised two seminars with the students of the faculty of History and the faculty of Social Sciences. The topic was the commemoration of "Kristallnacht" pogrom.



AUSTRIA
Since the "Freedom Party" of Jörg Haider has become part of the government, activities of resistance have taken place all over Austria - such as the weekly "Thursday-Demonstration" in Vienna or the internet-action which links many resistance-websites with each other. However the government has not given up: In an interview chancellor W. Schuessel in the "Jerusalem Post" on 9 November 2000, he said that "Austria was the first victim of the Nazis". This has been widely refuted. On "Kristallnacht" in 1938, synagogues burnt all over Austria. Anti-Semitism and nazism were not introduced in Austria by the Germans.
Many organisations commemorated 9 November and organised demonstrations and pickets (like every year at the Aspang train station, where many Jews where deported after "Kristallnacht"). An important event for the refugee-work that took place at 9 November 2000 was the "5th Annual Art Auction for Political Refugees".


BELGIUM
Since the "Vlaams Blok" (Flamish Block) won a record amount of support in the last elections, anti-fascists and anti-racists organised resistance against this extreme-right party. On 9 November 2000 students and youngsters organised in the city of Ghent together with refugee and human rights organisations a demonstration. Around 1000 people protested against the nomination of a member of "Vlaams Blok" to the board of the university of Ghent. A link to the commemoration of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom was made by the information published before, as well as on the day itself.



CROATIA
The problems between the Croatian and the Serbian part of Croatian society find their expression in racism and intolerance in Croatia. On 9 November 2000 several activities took place. The "Centre for Peace, Nonviolence and Human Rights" organised a manifestation and demonstration in Osijek, where an actor read poetry, live music was played and speeches were held. In Pula the "Association for Human Rights, Protection and Civic Freedom" organised a commemoration of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom and protested against fascism today.



CZECHIA
Discrimination of Roma people is one of the main social problems in Czechia. Under the influence of the rising neo-fascism the situation for minority groups in Czechia became even worse in the last years. In co-operation the Roma-, anti-racist- and Human Rights - organisations promote tolerance and work together for minority rights. On 9 November 2000 the organisation DUHA organised the campaign "The rise of fascism" and distributed UNITED-posters all over the country.



DENMARK
After the attacks of the neo-nazi network "Blood & Honour" against left-wing-people and foreigners in the city of Svendborg many anti-racist counteractivities took place. On 9 November 2000 around 1000 people demonstrated in Svendborg against racism and intolerance.
Like the last years, several organisations organised a commemoration of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom together in Copenhagen with a torch-light procession. In Nörresundby 300 people chanted in front of a house of the Danish nazi-organisation DNSB, to protest against nazism. For 600 days the anti-nazi-choir has been singing every night and was awarded several prizes for this activity. Usually they are just a group of twenty people but on special occasions - such as 9 November - many others came to support the local group.



FINLAND
In Finland the International Day against Fascism and Anti-Semitism attracted a lot of attention. The AntiFa in Helsinki organised a Ska, HipHop and Reggae Concert at Gloria Club and a big demonstration on 9 November against racist violence, which was attended by many people.
The AntiFa in Vaasa organised a commemoration of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom at the Town Square and an anti-racist exhibition at the AntiFa office "65 center" in the centre of Vaasa. Several more activities took place in the rest of the country.



FRANCE
There have been many attacks against synagogues and other Jewish institutions by militant neo-nazis in the last months of the year - 60 synagogues were attacked in France only in October 2000. This number indicates that anti-Semitism is present in France.
From 5-9 November 2000 the European Centre for the Yiddish Culture organised the Yiddish Summit "Remembering the Future" in Strasbourg where a link was made between the history and the future of the Yiddish culture. Many activities took place such as discussions, concerts, visits of synagogues and showing of films.



GEORGIA
The most important event in Georgia in 2000 was the presidential election that brought president Shevardnadze to power. International observers such as the British Helsinki Human Rights Group found these elections "seriously flawed and the results, therefore, unacceptable". In their observer-report they wrote that "the opposition has split up in several fractions and is regularly intimidated through the arrest and imprisonment of officials of the former government".
As the supporters of the ex-president are still in prison - although they tried to protest against their situation with hunger strikes - the organisations in Georgia have to work for human rights and real democracy in their country. Representatives of the organisation "Human Rights in Georgia" were beaten and insulted by (sometimes drunken) policemen several times without any reason (apart from their political work).
For the 9 November 2000 the independent society "Human Rights in Georgia" organised a seminar against fascism and anti-Semitism and distributed UNITED-posters and information material in Tbilisi.

GERMANY
The growing neo-nazism and the violence against minorities in Germany (especially in the Eastern parts of the country) is a dangerous development of the last years. In the summer of 2000 violence of militant neo-nazis against asylum seekers, Jewish institutions and people with different skin-colour flamed up all over the country. Racism and nazism are historical problems in Germany and neo-nazi-activists have been active since years. It is therefore surprising that the public, the media and the politicians were so shocked at the latest incidents. Especially politicians forgot that they did nothing for years to solve the problem and prevent its growth. The new laws for asylum seekers have promoted an image of foreigners as "job-robbers" and the reunification-politics have supported the right-wing movement as well. The young people, who are militant neo-nazis now, stood in front of closed down socialistic youth clubs and at the owercrowded work-office and jumped at the apparently easy solutions of the neo-nazi parties.
Many anti-fascist and anti-racist organisations all over the country resist against the right-wing movement and the violence of militant neo-nazis. On 9 November 2000 in all the big cities commemorations, demonstrations and other activities took place. In Erfurt a special "Anti-Racist Council" took place, in Bremerhaven 120000 people, in Düsseldorf about 40000 and at the big demonstration in Berlin about 200000 people demonstrated for "tolerance and humanity". The participation of many politicians has provoked a lot of criticism of anti-racist organisations who have lacked any kind of support for their work over the last years.



GREAT-BRITAIN
On the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism, Jewish organisations all over Britain organised various activities. The "Jewish Socialist Group" organised an intercultural commemoration of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom in co-operation with the "Institute of Contemporary History" and "Wiener Library" in London. It was a significant event, because it was the first time that a representative of the Roma community spoke at a mainstream Jewish venue, promoted by Jewish organisations. At the event issues such as the British asylum and immigration policies were discussed, especially the situation of the Roma. Another activity was organised by the British Holocaust Centre. Educational packs about the Holocaust were launched, for use throughout the country.



GREECE
There were several desecrations of Jewish monuments in Greece in the year 2000 and a member of the Greek parliament formulated anti-Semitic opinions repeatedly. The International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism was promoted in this context. The organisation "Greek Helsinki Monitor ­ Minority Rights Group" published a press release with the subject "We declare ourselves Jews against the upsurge of anti-Semitism" and distributed UNITED-posters.



HUNGARY
In Nazi-times many Hungarian Jews were deported from Hungary and other people became victims of the violence as well. This history is still alive in the people's minds, but racism has found a place in the Hungarian society nonetheless. On 9 November 2000 the Socialdemocratic Youth Movement organised a commemoration and paid tribute to the victims of the Holocaust by visiting a place in Budapest, where people were shot by the Nazis in 1945.
The participants of the Human Rights Education Forum at the European Youth Forum in Budapest held a minute of silence in memory of the victims of fascism and racism on the evening of 9 November.



ICELAND
Racism and neo-nazism have grown in Iceland in the last years. The laws and regulations are difficult for immigrants. On 9 November 2000 the "Human Rights Organisation of Immigrants in Iceland and Their Families" organised the campaign "Waking up the Congressmen" focusing on racism against immigrants in Iceland, to lobbying for a better legal situation. The strategy of this campaign was to develop new ways of politics together with the government.



IRELAND
As many foreigners came to Dublin over the last years, the Irish society has become more and more multicultural. While racism is not a new phenomenon in Ireland, it has become increasingly visible in recent times.
The anti-racist workplace week "Whatever you work forwork against racism" took place between 6-10 November 2000 and was organised as a co-operation between trade unions and other worker's organisations. The aim of this activity was, to develop methods to work against racism together with workers of different ethnic groups.



ITALY
Over the last years neo-fascist parties (such as "Alleanza Nazionale" or the "Forza Nueva") gained strength and anti-fascists all over Europe have become concerned about the political situation in Italy. Parties like "Forza Italia" are powerful not only in politics, but also in the media.
Anti-fascist organisations in different cities in Italy have organised activities around 9 November. The "Gruppo della Memoria" organised an exhibition to remember the "Kristallnacht" pogrom and distributed UNITED posters.



KYRGYZSTAN
With campaigns like "Raise Your Voice Against Racism", the organisation "Youth Human Rights Group" is working on anti-racism issues in Kyrgyzstan. The International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism was commemorated in Kyrgyzstan with educational programmes in the schools of the city of Bishkek.



LATVIA
In the last years neo-nazi organisations have appeared in Latvia with violent actions and political programs - mostly linked to the ideas of pro-Russian nationalists. The neo-nazi organisation "Latvian Regional Organization of Russian National Unity", that is modelled on a similar group in Russia, promotes slogans like: "If someone wants to battle with Russians, there is no need to go so far. WE ARE ALREADY HERE!". And in an article entitled "To Whom Do the Baltics Belong", the author asserts that in 1940 "our fathers once again returned here and only took back what has always belonged to Russia by right".
As there were several trials in the last years, that judged neo-nazis for their crimes, the public in Latvia is aware of the problem and many anti-fascist and anti-nationalist organisations promote tolerance in Latvia. On 9 November 2000 the "Latvian Anti-Fascist Action" organised a poster-campaign in Riga and distributed UNITED-material.



LUXEMBOURG
As a third of the population are foreigners, Luxembourg is undoubtedly a multi-cultural society. Intercultural education is one of the ways to make young people aware of racial discrimination, xenophobia and nationalism. At 9 November 2000 the "Conférence Générale de la Jeunesse Luxembourgeoise" distributed UNITED-posters to all secondary schools in Luxembourg.



MACEDONIA
When neo-nazis vandalised the portal of the Jewish cemetery in the city of Bitola on 9 November 2000, it became apparent that also in Macedonia there is a problem with anti-Semitism. However, the various activities that took place around 9 November have shown, that there are many active anti-racist organisations in the country.
The organisation IADEC organised a campaign to remember the "Kristallnacht" pogrom and made young people aware about anti-racism issues. A drawing competition and discussions on the theme "intolerance" were organised in elementary schools and UNITED posters were spread around the university and the town of Skopje. The Ecologists Movement of Macedonia organised a "Round Table against Fascism", where 30 different organisations discussed ways to work against fascism and anti-Semitism.



MALTA
Although racism and fascism have never been such big problems in Malta, the Ecological Foundation organises every year activities around 9 November. This year a drawing competition against racism took place in all secondary schools on Maltese Islands and UNITED-material was distributed all over the country.



MOLDOVA
Many activities took place around 9 November 2000 in Moldova. The Youth Helsinki Citizens Assembly of Moldova organised a street and media campaign "Fight Fascism Together" and in co-operation with the "Anti-Fascist Alliance" and the "Open University of Israel" a row of seminars with themes such as "Victims of the Holocaust", "Neo-Nazism in Europe", "Mass-Media and Hate Speech" or "Movement of Anti-fascists". The seminars were attended by many people and attracted a lot of attention by the media.
The organisation EYE Moldova promoted themes like anti-racism and tolerance with the project "Passports Against Intolerance" all over the country.



NETHERLANDS
Like every year many activities took place all over the country, in almost all big cities commemorations, demonstrations, exhibitions and concerts took place. In Eindhoven "Jongerenbond" (Youth Union) organised the festival "Resist Intolerance" where many bands played and anti-racist themes were promoted. In Heerlen the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism was commemorated with a whole day's action including a demonstration, music, speeches, a torch-light procession and a concert.
A very interesting Dutch-German co-operation took place on 9 November as well: A group of Dutch children went to the German city of Emden to commemorate the 45 Jewish children that were killed in Emden in nazi times and a group of German children commemorated the persecution of Jews in Westerbork, where a former camp prisoner told his life's story.
At the official event at the Dokwerker in Amsterdam, where about 200 people commemorated the "Kristallnacht" pogrom, it came to a dispute during the speech of A. Menebhi, the representative of the Moroccan community. In his speech Menebhi emphasised, that Israel is violating the rights of the Palestinian people by not giving them their own state. Jewish people in the audience protested against the timing of his remarks by calling "Not now, not here". Menebhi had to interrupt his speech. The reason for inviting specifically the Morroccan community was to reconcile the Jewish and Morrocan communities. After the latest outburst of violence in the Middle East, Morrocan youth had reacted with anti-Semitic texts at a pro-Palestina demonstration.



NORWAY
The commemorations of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom have a tradition in Norway. On 9 November 2000 people all over the country commemorated and demonstrated against fascism and anti-Semitism. Many people took part in the torch-light demonstration in Oslo, with the themes "We remember the 'Kristallnacht' ­ stop denial of history!" and "Silence Kills".



POLAND
Over the last years the neo-nazi organisations in Poland have operated more and more openly. The extreme-right movement spreads propaganda and violence all over the country. Since years anti-fascist organisations in Poland promote tolerance and interculturalism and organise various activities against racism and fascism. The "Never Again Association" organised an "Anne-Frank exhibition" that was opened on 9 November 2000 in Szczecin. In several cities all over Poland demonstrations and commemorations took place on the occasion of the International Day against Fascism and Anti-Semitism. Some confrontations between anti-fascists and neo-nazis took place this year. The anti-fascist march on 9 November in Wroclaw was called off because of serious threats from the neo-nazi organisation NOP and physical confrontations took place in Warsaw, too. However, most anti-fascist activities went on as planned: On 12 November an anti-racist film evening took place in Legnica and a lecture and an anti-racist film evening in Warsaw. Both activities were organised by the "Anti-Nazi-Group" and "Never Again Association", which also distributed UNITED-posters to groups and individuals all over Poland.



PORTUGAL
The situation is very difficult in Portugal for immigrants and refugees, who come mainly from Africa seeking a better life in Europe. They have not got the same rights in work and daily life like the Portuguese people and they are confronted with anti-immigrant- or anti-refugee-violence. Most of them live in bad social conditions. The organisations that represent "illegal" people are extremely important.
The 9 November campaign never has a high profile in the Portuguese media although racist tendencies have grown in the last years. The organisation "Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice" distributed UNITED-posters and the Youth Express Network organised a seminar in Cascais with the theme "Young People and War".



ROMANIA
In Romania the socio-economic situation for elderly people, families and young people has not become much better over the years. While the country struggles to meet the standards of national financing set by the EU, many people have been forced to take several jobs to support themselves.
Discrimination against minorities like Roma and foreigners has grown, as they are seen as responsible for the problems. The elections of November 2000 scared many people in the anti-fascist and anti-racist movement. Nationalist and far-right parties won an enormous amount of votes. Romania almost got an extreme-right president. Even many young people voted for the extreme-right parties.
Many active organisations work against discrimination and violence against minorities. On 9 November 2000 activities took place all over the country. In Bucharest Romani Criss organised a seminar, where the problems of Roma people were discussed and a representative of the organisation ACCEPT held a speech and talked about the discrimination of gays and lesbians in Romania. In Oradea Youth Action for Peace used street theatre to commemorate the "Kristallnacht" pogrom and distributed UNITED posters.



RUSSIA
Caucasians in Russia are discriminated in all spheres of life. The Moscow and Russian authorities spread fear all over the country and the "anti-terrorist operations" against Caucasians have created an image of a terrorist threat against the civil population. In the meanwhile the government is using that as an alibi to carry out violent actions, not only in the war in Chechnya but also against supposedly terrorist people in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Organisations in Russia try to counter this particular kind of racism with campaigns like the poster-action "I don't want to hate". Russian, Eastern and Western European designers have created a whole series of anti-racism posters, that were published all over the country.
In St. Petersburg 9 November 2000 had the best media coverage ever, compared with the years before. The anti-fascist magazine "Tum-Balalaika" organised in co-operation with the "Anti-Fascist Commission of Memorial" the seminar "Discrimination of Disabled People ­ In History and Today" and held a manifestation in the streets of St. Petersburg, where leaflets and information material was spread.



SLOVAKIA
The problems of racism are touching Slovakian society and attacks against those who are considered to be "different" are happening nearly every day. A poll made by independent organisations has shown that 80% of the Slovakian population have prejudices against Roma. At least five racist murders have happened in Slovakia and racist speeches were held by representatives of the government.
For the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism 2000 various organisations co-operated in the campaign "People Against Racism". It started on 1 November 2000, when billboards were posted all around Slovakia and anti-racist non-commercial advertisements were broadcasted by tv- and radio-stations. On 9 November discussions, demonstrations, info-tables and other activities took place all over Slovakia.
Part of the campaign was the publishing of informative brochures, flyers and posters, which were sent to all high-schools, all municipalities, political parties, NGO's, Roma organisations, individuals and the media. The anti-racism website www.rasizmus.sk formed an important part of the campaign as well. So was the meeting with the Minister of Interior, the President of the Police Department and the Director of Intelligence Services. The whole campaign was a big success.



SLOVENIA
On 9 November 2000 several activities took place in Slovenia. Most actions were linked to the motto "Silence Kills, Resist Against Intolerance". The UNHCR organised the travelling exhibition "Visas for Life" and a lot of round tables and other awareness-raising initiatives took place at the Ljubljana Info-doc center of the Council of Europe. The organisation MOST (SCI Slovenia) organised an Intercultural Marathon in Izola, where they promoted intercultural learning and tolerance.
Picture: Logo from the website www.razismus.sk



SPAIN
On 9 November 2000 activities against neo-fascism took place all over Spain such as the campaign dedicated to Violetta Friedman, who died in Madrid in October 2000. Violetta Friedman was a survivor of Auschwitz and active in Human Rights and anti-racism issues. The Movimiento Contra la Intolerancia organised exhibitions against intolerance in five different cities, a seminar in Madrid, radio marathons and school activities in 15 cities all over Spain.
A prominent political problem in Spain is the situation on the Southern border, where many people try to enter the EU from Africa, risking their life and often losing it. Service Civil International Catalunya organised the campaign "Refugees, You Need To Know Them" with round tables, an interactive exhibition, films and discussions about the problems of refugees inside and outside of Spain.



SWEDEN
Since the murder of the trade union activist Björn Söderberg on 12 October 1999 the terror of the neo-nazis in Sweden has continued to be dangerous. In recent years neo-nazi organisations have tried to infiltrate trade unions, anti-fascist and Human Rights organisations and spread terror all over Sweden. The victims of this terror are all the people in Sweden, but especially political activists and minority groups.
There are many organisations that work against the neo-nazis. The International Day against Fascism and Anti-Semitism in Sweden was a visible symbol of this resistance.
In Stockholm around 600 people attended the demonstration "Silence Kills ­ Fight Intolerance". Because there have been several anti-Semitic attacks in Sweden over the last year (e.g. some neo-nazis smashed shop windows of immigrant shops in the small town of Tomelilla), the police had a high presence and arrested some neo-nazis who tried to disturb the manifestation.

SWITZERLAND
In recent years the discussion about the traditionally neutral role of Switzerland towards European politics has been an important issue. Critics highlighted the role of Switzerland towards Nazi-Germany and modified the image of this "neutrality". As it became more clear how banks had stored the stolen gold of Jewish families and how the Swiss authorities blocked the borders for refugees from Germany, people recognised that everybody has a responsibility towards history.
On 9 November 2000 commemorations took place in many cities. CICAD in Genève, for example, showed the documentation "Autopsy of a Lie: Holocaust Denial" and organised a discussion on the same topic.



UKRAINE
The Ukraine was one of the countries that suffered greatly during the occupation by nazi-Germany. Today, many young people who have not seen fascism with their own eyes are attracted by neo-nazi organisations. On 9 November 2000 anti-fascist organisations tried to make young people aware of today's problems in remembering the past with the theme "Silence Kills".
On this occasion, the organisation " Peuples d'Ici et d'Ailleurs - Ukraine" went to schools and universities to promote tolerance and raise awareness. Simulation games with students were organised and the media was invited. The "African National Organisation" held a round table conference in Gorky dedicated to the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism. The participants discussed the phenomenon of fascism as a historical problem and came to the conclusion, that an intercultural dialogue is the best way to prevent fascism.



YUGOSLAVIA
After the end of the dictatorship of Milosevic, the people in Yugoslavia hope for a better future although they are still confronted with many problems. Especially Roma are often victims of racial discrimination. It is common in Yugoslavia for police officers to make racial slurs against Roma. There is a common belief that Roma are naturally prone to crime and they are often physically abused.
On 9 November 2000 the "Humanitarian Law Center" published a press-release about the discrimination of Roma. The organisation investigated 104 cases in the year 2000 in which the Human Rights of Roma were violated. On a Press Conference in Belgrade, which was organised by the Roma-organisation Rrominterpress in co-operation with the "Union of Jewish Communities of Yugoslavia", a link was made between the discrimination of Jews and Roma in nazi-times with the discriminations of today. Several daily newspapers published articles about the press conference the following day.
Peaceful demonstrations were organised in different parts of the country. In Belgrade two round table conferences and a literary evening took place. In Backa Topola UNITED posters were distributed and in Kikinda a "Concert against Fascism" was organised, where 9 different bands from all over Yugoslavia played and about 200 people attended.





Up

Order the printed version (with many pictures and press clippings) of the report at:
UNITED for Intercultural Action
European network against nationalism, racism, fascism
and in support of migrants and refugees
Postbus 413, NL-1000 AK Amsterdam, Netherlands
phone +31-20-6834778, fax +31-20-6834582
info@unitedagainstracism.org, www.unitedagainstracism.org