CAMPAIGN REPORT

Commemorations in more than 28 countries in Europe
- NEO-NAZIS SMASH WINDOWS IN SWEDEN
- PROTESTS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION IN RUSSIA
- REPORT ON 19 RACIST MURDERS PUBLISHED IN POLAND
- THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DEMONSTRATE IN DENMARK & SWEDEN

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 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.

Action
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.

The UNITED office produces 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. And now you are holding a European report in your hands including as many of the activities that took place as possible. UNITED also produced a poster which supported many (especially small) organisations in their actions (see also page ...).

Fascism and homosexuality
The Nazi period is certainly the worst period in modern history, concerning the treatment of homosexuals. However, after the war homosexual former concentration camp inmates were afraid to testify about their treatment, fearing the homophobia that still permeated European societies. In fact, the laws on homosexuality that were installed during the Nazi era were only repealed in 1969. Until now homosexuals suffer harsh discrimination in many countries, in some countries supported by discriminatory legislation.
In the struggle against fascism, racism and other intolerance, we should not forget the issue of homophobia. Intolerance can not be overcome until all forms of discrimination are rooted out.

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 cooperation on common actions and shared activities on a mutual respect. UNITED is and will remain independent from all political parties, orgnisations 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 aciton 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!!

UNITED published a special campaign poster explaining the meaning of the triangles in Nazi-concentration camps. The poster was spread all over Europe and helped the groups to prepare their activities and to inform other people about the importance of the campaign. 25.000 posters have been produced.

It was typical for fascism to divide citizens into categories. Minorities were separated from the rest of society and were blamed for everything that had gone wrong.
Some of the triangles have become symbols of political resistance nowadays, especially the red one.

In addition to the approximately 6 million Jews who were the targets of a complete annihilation policy in the Nazi Holocaust were an estimated 5,5 million "enemies of the German state", criminals and "asocials", the insane, gays and lesbians, Jehovah's Witnesses, political offenders such as communists and socialists, and Roma and Sinti. Estimates of the number of Gypsies murdered are between 200.000 to 600.000. The estimated number of homosexuals killed in the camps varies from 10.000 to 15.000. Around 100.000 men and women were arrested of the German gay and lesbian community of around 1.500.000 men and women.

Signification of the badges:
yellow star: Jew
red triangle: political prisoners
pink triangle: homosexuals
lilac triangle: Jehovah's witness
black triangle: Roma and Sinti ('gypsies') and "asocials"

ALBANIA
Albania is a country where one can feel the closeness of a hell caused by nationalist poison in people's minds. The significance of the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism in the Balkan region is therefore hard to overestimate. The "Kristallnacht" pogrom was commemorated by the Albanian Committee for Peace and Democracy which organised activities in co-operation with students from the social studies faculty. Posters and leaflets against fascism and nationalism were printed and distributed, too.

AUSTRIA
This year activities have been organised in the shadow of the success of Jörg Haider's "Freedom Party" (FPÖ) in the national elections on 3 October 1999. The "Freedom Party" gained 27% of the votes. Many organisations were involved in the organisation of a big demonstration in Vienna against the party in November 1999, which 30 thousand people joined.
Like every year a commemoration and picket was held by anti-fascists and peace activists on the Aspang train station in Vienna, from where several thousand Jews have been deported.

The "Freedom Party", a threat to freedom?
"We guarantee to stop the foreign influx" and "Austria first" were slogans of the Austrian "Freedom Party" (Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs, FPÖ) for the national elections (October 1999) in which it became the second strongest party in the parliament. The outcry in foreign countries was big, especially in the Jewish community. Israel threatened to cut off its diplomatic connections if Haider would join the new government. Haider said: "I am a democratic politician and I never violated democratic principles. I have never sympathised with the ideas of the Nazi-regime. There must have been misunderstandings. I am a patriot who promotes Austrian interests". He pretends to be a man who never sympathised with Nazi ideas, but he has praised Hitlres orderly employment policies.
The "Freedom Party" founded as a liberal party. It exists since World War II. Despite this liberal basis it always had a xenophobic and revisionist wing. In 1990 the vicepresident of the Austrian republic of Steiermark (a member of the "Freedom Party") called Auschwitz before a court "a monument of lies".
In 1986 the "Freedom Party" was taken over by the xenophobic wing under Jörg Haider. Since then the "Freedom Party" agitates against foreigners and "the established corrupt politicians". In Vienna for example the "Freedom Party" accused the city council of prefering foreigners in council flats. Last year they proposed to introduce an "A-card". A special identification card for foreigners living in Austria. Doesn't that remind us of the triangles or the yellow star?
Haider represents himself and his party as the new "clean alternative", the new power for Austria, the anti-corruption man. Despite some larger financial scandals in 1998 he still managed to represent a clean image, and his success is growing.

Vlaams Blok to commemorate "Kristallnacht"?
This year the Vlaams Blok, the right-wing extremist party of flemish Belgium wanted to hold their version of a "Kristallnacht". They wanted to hold a public meeting in the center of the city of Gent. This caused an outcry and protest by anti-racist and anti-fascist organisations all over Europe. UNITED and the Antifa Network (antifa.net) co-operated in an international e-mail action to protest against this scandalous and shameful step of the Vlaams Blok. People from all over Europe sent protest e-mails to the city council of Gent. In the end the action was partly a succes. The municipality revoked the permit for the meeting, because of the action. After a court decision , the Vlaams Blok unfortunately won a permit, but had to reschedule and relocate the meeting.

CROATIA
In Croatia the wounds of the civil war are still deep. Especially suspicion and hatred between the Serbian and the Croatian part of the society. During the civil war the Serbian population living in Croatian areas were terrorised by neo-Ustasha groups (the Ustasha was a fascist movement which collaborated with the Nazis during WW II). Miltitarism and nationalism are still a common attitude in the Croatia of today; promoted by ex-president Tudjman and his nationalistic party (HDZ).
Fortunately also many people are involved in healing these wounds. Mainly peace activists and human rights groups commemorated this year the 61st anniversary of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom. In Karlovac and Osijek human rights groups laid down flowers on anti-fascist monuments. In Zagreb the Center for Direct Protection of Human Rights and the Autonomous Culture Factory-Attack, organised a progamme lasting the whole day of 9 November. It started with a theatre show followed by an interethnical - interracial lunch, a radio show and a party.

CYPRUS
The lasting division of the country on ethnic lines and numerous problems faced by refugees who come to Cyprus, make anti-racist work all the more important in healing the social climate.
The Immigrant Support Action Group, together with the Youth Board of Cyprus, organised a Rainbow Festival, a multi-cultural anti-racist event in the beautiful Municipal Gardens of Nicosia. Human rights organizations adopted a declaration of principles calling for better protection of migrants' and refugees' rights.

CZECH REPUBLIC
In the Czech Republic the difficult situation of the Roma remains a major social problem. There are also active extremist groups such as the Republicans or the Patriotic Front. On the other hand anti-racist activities are sometimes discouraged or even banned by authorities, especially on the local level.
--On 9 November the Duha Association, the Initiative Against Racism (IPRA) and various anti-fascist and youth groups protested against this state of affairs in Prague.
The Czech Union of Jewish Youth organized candle-lighting to commemorate the victims of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom.

DENMARK
The extreme-right Danish People's Party is getting a stronger foot-hold in Danish politics. When the racists feel confident, they are quick to censor other people's activities. --One of the DPP politicians tried to cause a ban on a --9 November demonstration in Copen-hagen because of "a risk of riots". However, he did not succeed and the commemoration went ahead as planned. More than 3 thousand people from all walks of life took part in the procession. The slogans used were: "No to nazi terror, racism and smear cam-paign against refugees","No to discrimination - the same rights for Allan (common Danish name) and Ali, Miriam and Maibritt". There were five similar demonstrations in other places in Denmark, too.

FINLAND
In Finland the extreme-right remains a marginal force, but xenophobia can be detected in some social attitudes. In a 1997 poll 20 per cent of young people said it was patriotic to be racist. The neo-nazi killings in Sweden also cast a shadow on the "Kristallnacht" pogrom commemoration in neighbouring Finland. The Multicultural Information Association organized a street action in Turku. There was a leafleting action and a discussion with young people in the market place. An interesting test was made, too, to check which local restaurants do not allow migrants or Roma to enter.
In Helsinki over 400 people demonstrated against racism, fascism, "Fortress Europe" and in memory of Björn Söderberg, the Swedish trade-unionist who has been assasinated by neo-nazis.
In Vaasa there was a candle-light demonstration organized by a local Antifa group.

GEORGIA
Georgia is another country in which ethnic tensions and conflicts are being felt. This year several human rights organisations co-operated in organising an exhibition, a seminar against fascism and anti-Semitism, and a special newsletter.

GERMANY
In Germany commemorations have become part of the post-war political culture. Commemorations were held in many cities and towns. Most of the Jewish communities organised commemorations, sometimes in co-operation with city councils and christian communities. Different groups co-operated quite often; anti-fascists, Jewish communities, trade unions, migrant and refugee groups, church groups and peace committees.
Commemorations were held in places where synagogues stood before 1938 or in places which remind us of the pogroms and deportations.
Anti-fascist groups organised demonstrations in Berlin and in Aachen. Those demonstrations not only commemorated the victims of Nazi-Germany but also protested against neo-fascist tendencies and developments in Germany today. Rascist violence became a serious problem in Germany especially since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Anti-Semitism is now often expressed more openly. Last year several Jewish cemeteries have been defiled.
Different conferences and seminars were held about fascism and history on occassion of the 61st anniversary of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom. Exhibitions showed different aspects of fascism and heightened the awareness of people. In Bielefeld an exhibition concentrated on female victims of fascism, especially about the Ravensbrück concentration camp for women.
1999 was also the year of the 10th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Big events were organised in Berlin in this framework. Jewish and anti-fascist groups feared that commemorations of the pogromnight in 1938 would be driven into the background. In all the big newspapers long articles about the fall of the Wall appeared while attention to the "Kristallnacht" pogrom commemorati0ns was only little or not at all given.
Another issue this year was the payments for victims of forced labour in Nazi-Germany. Many Jews, political prisoners and inhabitants of occupied countries, especially from Eastern Europe, were forced to work under extreme conditions for the German war-industry. Most of them never got any compensation. Many German firms who profited from this slave labour refuse to take over responsibility for it today.

GREAT-BRITAIN
In Britain the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism was used to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust and to highlight the plight of today's victims of discrimination, especially refugees and asylum seekers.
On 6 November anti-fascists (TWAFA) and trade unionists organized a joint candle-lit vigil in Newcastle.
On 9 November in London the Jewish Socialist Group held a commemorative meeting with speakers including a witness of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom, an asylum-seeking family who has suffered racist attacks, and a member of parliament.
The Refugee Week and the launch of an anti-racist football website coincided with this year's "Kristallnacht" anniversary in London, too.

GREECE
In Greece nationalism is a strong current in society and it is often associated with a hostility towards minorities and migrants. On the anniversary of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom the Greek Helsinki Monitor and Minority Rights Group-Greece published an article in the daily Avgi, drawing parallels between the plight of the Jews 61 years ago and the Roma today. They are victims of racism and xenophobia all around the European continent, East and West. The Greek state policy with regard to the Roma was analysed and its deficiencies were exposed to the public.

ITALY
Fascism originated in Italy. Over the years there have been attempts to play down the oppressive character of the Mussolini regime. Today it is a feature of the propaganda of both the post-fascists of the Alleanza Nazionale and the hardline fascists of Forza Nuova. But it must not be forgotten that the Italian fascist dictatorship also used anti-Semitic and racist policies. The historical memory of the Holocaust must be a warning about the current treatment of refugees. Both the historical and contemporary issues were present in the 1999 commemorations of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom in Italy.
The National Association of Ex-Deportees (ANED) and "Gruppa della Memoria" organised a successfull photo exhibition on anti-Semitism and the Holocaust in Varese. There was also a historical lecture on the events of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom.
Associazione Rieti Immigrant-Provincia (ARI) distributed special posters and stickers in Rieti. It also informed a lot of similar organisations about the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism by mail.

LATVIA
In Latvia the country's restored independence and democracy is sometimes abused by efforts to rehabilitate wartime nazi criminals and collaborators. In this context it is especially vital to remember the history of the Holocaust and the suffering which was caused by racist ideology.
From 5 till 9 November members of the Latvian Human Rights Committee (FIDH) held lectures on history of the Holocaust in schools in Riga and teaching resources on this topic were also distributed to other schools in Riga, Elgava, Olaine and Daugavpils. Articles about the "Kristallnacht" anniversary were published in the Russian-language and Latvian-language press.
On 9 November flower-laying and candle-lighting ceremonies were organised by human rights groups at monuments dedicated to the Holocaust victims in Riga and Daugavpils.

MACEDONIA
One of the results of the Balkan turmoil in 1999 was a huge number of Kosovo refugees in the country. The well-known tragic events in the region have shown once again the dangers of extreme nationalism, so last year's International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism in Macedonia was commemorated in a very special context. The Ecologists' Movement of Macedonia distributed anti-fascist posters to youth, environmental, women's, and other non-governmental organizations.

MALTA
There seems to be little threat from the extreme right in Malta today, so the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-semitism there takes a rather preventive angle. However, it is a country where refugees coming to Europe often find their first shelter and therefore the problems of aid to refugees as well as the co-existence of neighbouring cultures are present.
The organisation Eco produced a press release for all the media and it launched a national essay and drawing competition on the theme of the campaign for children and youth.

MOLDOVA
In the newly-independent Moldova the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-semitism is used by human rights groups to foster a climate of peaceful co-existence of different nationalities and cultures.
The first issue of a new three-languages magazine "Collage" was published.
On 8 November the Youth Helsinki Citizens´ Assembly organised a round-table discussion about issues of neo-fascism. There were also educational meetings with school students in Chisinau.
In Balti the Juventus Association organised a successful program together with the Polish Community Centre. The participants discussed the idea of living in a tolerant society.

NETHERLANDS
In the Netherlands commemorations of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom have a long tradition. From the Netherlands the biggest percentage of Jews was deported during WW II under German occupation. This was due to the Dutch administration system which helped the German occupiers to categorise the people and to register all the Jews. Although there was collaboration, there was also a strong resistance movement, especially from socialists, communists, self-organised Jews and liberals.
Because fascism is associated with the occupation during the war, openly fascist organisations are very weak in the Netherlands. Anti-fascist organisations often refer to the situation of refugees today, who face racism on a daily basis. The Jewish communities took an active part in the commemorations.
Nederland Bekent Kleur, an amalgation of anti-racist groups in the Netherlands, produced a brochure titled "Kristallnacht in the light of today", which informed about discriminatory and excluding practices. This was a very big success. Over 15.000 brochures were sent to 150 schools.
In Amsterdam there was a commemoration at the monument of the Jewish resistance. Representatives of the Jewish community and eyewitnesses held short speeches followed by Jewish songs.
In Groningen about 50 people marched under the slogan "No human being is illegal" through the city centre and denounced the Dutch refugee policy in 1938 and now. Many Jews who wanted to flee Germany after the pogrom night in 1938 only met closed doors in Germany's neighbouring countries.
In Heerlen and Eindhoven festivals with multicultural programmes and special attention to what happened during the time of fascism took place. The national organisation of gays and lesbians commemorated this day with candles and flowers at the entrance of its office.

NORWAY
In Norway there is a small but violent neo-nazi movement. There is also a growing anti-immigrant sentiment. Against this background the last year´s commemoration of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom can be seen as a success because it involved people all over the country. In the whole of Norway posters were displayed by Fellesaksjonen mot Rasisme (Joint Action Against Racism) and Norwegian People's Aid. There were commemorations arranged by local groups in several other cities as well.
It is important to note the high involvement of the Norwegian trade union movement in the campaign. As a symbol of commemoration of the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism torches have been burning outside of many important trade union offices in all parts of the country.
Unfortunately, there was also a sign of activity of the neo-fascists. On the evening of the "Kristallnacht" anniversary a group of nazis from the Blood and Honour group marched through the streets of Sorumsand, east of Oslo, to hear a speech in praise of the SS.

POLAND
The "Kristallnacht" commemoration has become a strong tradition in Poland since the mid-199--0s. Anti-fascist groups organise a variety of events and UNITED campaign material is very much in demand each year.
Last year's campaign took place in an increasingly difficult social-political climate. In several cases right-wing extremists had been nominated to positions within the government.
Although laws exist in Poland which ban neo-fascist groups and propaganda partly, those groups feel free to operate openly. Holocaust denial and violent anti-Semitic propaganda have become widespread and they are accompanied by fascist violence.
On 9 November "Never Again" Association published a special report documenting 19 murders committed by fascists in recent years.
"Kristallnacht" commemorations took many other shapes, too. There were street demonstrations in Lublin, Rzeszow, a video evening and a special radio broadcast on "Radio Stacja" in Warsaw. Nazi-grafitti was removed, anti-fascist posters and leaflets distributed in Lomza, Tomaszow, Legnica, Dzierzoniow, Konin. Historical lectures were given in Krakow and Warsaw. In Opole and Wroclaw flowers were laid at monuments dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust.

PORTUGAL
The 9 November campaign in Portugal so far has never had a very high profile in the media, but it does have a significance in the face of the slow but noticeable growth of the racist movement. Recently the far-right has been successful at infiltrating existing political structures of a liberal party. Anti-immigrant and anti-refugee riots have taken place, too.
On 9 November the Anti-Racist Network (RAR) organized a meeting with members of parliament to deliver lists of signatures collected in the previous months in support of a petition demanding "Documents and Equal Rights for All".
On the same day the film "American History X" by Tony Kaye was shown to over 100 representatives of anti-racist NGOs in Lisbon. A discussion about xenophobia and racist violence followed.

ROMANIA
In Romanian society ethnic diversity is often associated with exclusion and/or intolerance. There has been a significant progress in inter-ethnic relations during the last few years, but there is still much to be done. Anti-Roma racism remains a particular problem and ultra-nationalist parties still enjoy a lot of support.
The 1999 commemoration of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom was particularly strong in Romania.
On 7-9 November Youth Action for Peace (YAP) organised a campaign against fascism in Cluj-Napoca which included discussions in schools, a film screening, and a concert of Jewish music. YAP and the Jewish community held a meeting and a concert at a synagogue in Oradea on 7 November. On 9 November there was a street manifestation and an exhibition of children's pictures.
In Tirgu-Mures and Odorheiul Secuiesc the Liga Pro Europa organised a visit to a synagogue for school students, meetings with historians and witnesses of the Holocaust.
Commemorative events took place in the capital city of Bucharest, too. A coalition of religious groups (Baha'i), minority organizations (Roma, Jewish, German) and anti-racist activists (ASLIR) organised a symposium, a theatre show, and a discussion about discrimination on the basis of ethnic origin. The Roma organization CRISS held a press conference and distributed UNITED material to 70 organizations throughout the country.

RUSSIA
In 1999 Russia moved further in the direction of intitutionalised racism. The draconian "anti-terrorist" measures have served to discriminate and persecute people of Caucasian origins living all over the country. The inhumane war in Chechnya was another blow to democracy and human rights. Fascist organizations are still allowed to operate without obstacles and occasionally they even collaborate with state bodies.
In these circumstances the "Kristallnacht" commemmorations have had a very special meaning.
On 7 November the Anti-Fascist Youth Action (AYA) organised a march in Moscow in commemmoration of the victims of 20th century totalitarian regimes. Two days later members of AYA picketed outside the Central Court to protest against the registration of a fascist electoral block; three anti-fascists were arrested by the police.
There were street actions in Saratov, Krasnodar, Pskov, Omsk, Tomsk, Voronezh, and St. Petersburg. In St. Petersburg the anti-fascist picket followed a seminar on Holocaust studies organised by the magazine "Tum-Balalaika". The picket was confronted by members of the fascist National-Bolshevik Party.

SLOVENIA
Slovenia is often presented as a model candidate for European Union membership but unfortunately it does not mean it is free from extreme nationalism or racism.
In 1999 the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism was commemorated, among others, by the Slovenian Helsinki Monitor. An issue of the anti-racist magazine "Drugacnik" was dedicated largely to the commemoration of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom.

SPAIN
Spain suffered under fascist dictatorship until the late 1970s. Nowadays violent neo-nazi groups are active and there is an urgent need to oppose them.
In Zaragoza the Movement Against Intolerance in cooperation with the local Jewish community organized a series of events starting with a photo exhibition concentrating on the history of the Warsaw Ghetto. The opening of the exhibition was accompanied by music. Agnieszka Holland´s film "Europa, Europa" about the times of nazism was shown. There was also a discussion at the University of Zaragoza. The participants paid homage to the victims of the Holocaust and they exchanged views about the neccessity to fight the neo-fascist threat today.

SWEDEN
In Sweden this year's commemorations and demonstrations drew a lot of attention because of the recent fascist terror. In Stockholm 1500 people demonstrated, in Gothenburg also about 1500, in Lund 1100, in Malmö 1400, in Kristianstad 350 and 150 in Helsingborg. The demonstrations were organised by large alliances of trade unions, anti-racist activists, anti-fascists and others.
On 12 October 1999 the trade union activist Björn Söderberg was shot in front of his flat by militant neo-nazis. He had found out about a fascist activist - a colleague of him who always played racist rock music at work - trying to infiltrate the trade union. As he warned other trade union members and informed the press, the anti-Antifa (a fascist organisation which collects information about anti-fascists and other political enemies and threatenens them with terror) ordered information from the public administration (which is open to everybody in Sweden) about Mr. Söderberg.
The murder of Björn Söderberg was part of a whole series of acts of terror last year. In spring 1999 two policemen have been shot by fascists who wanted to finance arms with robberies. Letter bombs have been sent to a.o. the minister of justice.
Local fascists shattered shop windows of immigrant shops on the anniversary of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom in the small town of Tomelilla. Furthermore they intimidated the owner of a hall who wanted to let his rooms for a meeting to local anti-fascist and anti-racist activists. In the end over 600 people attended the meeting.
After the murder of Söderberg and various other threats to journalists, anti-fascists and politicians, the biggest newspapers of Sweden published a list with names and photos of the most important neo-nazi activists in Sweden.
As the Swedish society experiences violent threats by neo-fascist groups, it is of a big importance that there is also a strong movement which is not willing to tolerate the terror.

SWITZERLAND
In Switzerland fascism has never been such a big issue because Switzerland always played a neutral role. However, in the last years discussion about the responsibility of Switzerland for co-operating with nazi-Germany took place on a greater scale. Switzerland cooperated with Nazis by storing gold which had been stolen from Jews and made profit out of it. Switzerland was also responsible for shutting down its borders for Jews and political refugees from Germany, especially after the "Kristallnacht" pogrom. So anti-racist groups made a link to the refugee situation today. Last March a young Palestinian has been gagged to death by policemen during his deportation. An organisation of "sans-papiers" organised an information evening in Bern under the title "No human being is illegal". A similar activity was organised by anti-racist groups in Bern informing about the situation of Roma and Sinti who also have suffered severe persecution by fascist regimes and are often still victims of violence and discrimination in Western and Eastern European countries today. Another anti-racist group organised an information evening for teachers on the occasion of the pogrom night where anti-racist information and education has been discussed.

UKRAINE
Ukraine has made big progress on the road to interethnic harmony, but is still haunted by the spectre of xenophobia and Anti-Semitism. The Anti-Defamation League of the United Jewish Community of Ukraine commemorated the anniversary of the "Kristallnacht" pogrom by organising a round-table discussion in Kiev as a start for a longer-term campaign "Next Century Without Racism and Xenophobia". Activities were also arranged by student members of the African National Organization in Lugansk.

YUGOSLAVIA
(SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO)
Serbia has a good tradition of anti-fascist resistance during World War II, but it also carries the burden of everyday racism and nationalism, especially in the aftermath of the Kosovo war and the war in Bosnia.
Anti-racists have to deal both with racist attitudes in society and bureaucratic obstacles.
The Society for Developing Culture (DRK) conducted a leafleting action in the street using costumes with emblems signifying the different categories of people persecuted by the nazis as depicted on the UNITED poster. They explained the meaning of these emblems to passers-by.
Among other actions in Yugoslavia was a concert in the Montenegro National Theatre and the production of a video clip with a song based on the famous anti-fascist poem by Pastor Niemölller:
The video was broadcast on the television

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not Jewish

Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Catholics
and I did not speak out because I was not a Catholic

Then they came for the Trade Unionists
and I did not speak out because I was not a Trade Unionist

Then they came for me
and there was noone left
to speak out for me

Up

A printed version of this report is available 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