MANNHEIM, Germany - A German court on Thursday convicted far-right activist Ernst Zundel and sentenced him to five years in prison for Holocaust denial in a case that underlined Germany's determination to prosecute people who claim the Nazis didn't murder six million Jews.
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The 67-year-old Zundel, who was deported from Canada in 2005, was convicted on 14 counts of inciting hatred for years of anti-Semitic activities, including contributing to a Web site devoted to denying the Holocaust — a crime in Germany.
Holocaust denier sentenced to 5 years - Yahoo! News
I dont get it. A person has the right to believe whatever it is they want. If they dont believe the holocaust happened. Thats fine by me. It doesn't change the fact that it did.
Well......It's Germany.....the place where a large portion of the holocaust occurred. I can see how they might have outlawed anti-antisemitism to help clean up their image after WWII.
Said law needs to be removed from the books now, though.
Agreed 100%. Speech and ideals should be protected, whether or not we agree. I can certainly understand Germany's stance, they are sincerely trying to make up for the atrocities of the holocaust and that is a great step, but limiting liberty in the search for forgiveness will not accomplish anything. Sidenote, I had a German teacher for my foreign language course(german, she was a nativel German) who was honestly one of the sweetest people I've ever met, it broke her heart to have someone still blaming every person of German birth for the same sentiment that lead to the holocaust, she realizes, of course, that the past is painful but we must forgive and progress before any kind of healing can occur. (I really did feel sympathy for Ebba Schoonover becuase when she related the story, I could see her embarassment over being singled out during the speakers debate over German attrocities). The German government has shown a deep regret over the past, that should be taken as is and they should granted a great simblance of respect for their efforts, but it's time for everyone to move on, and find peace in a world that is sincerely trying to redeem past offences.Yeah it's a little scary. It's a bit too far. Personally I dont mind if a person says that the Holocaust or even Slavery never happened. I'd just love to see them try and prove any of these claims. They'll get an awfully harsh lesson in history.
Holocaust denier sentenced to 5 years - Yahoo! News
I dont get it. A person has the right to believe whatever it is they want. If they dont believe the holocaust happened. Thats fine by me. It doesn't change the fact that it did.
The law was put in place by among others, the US.
In February 2005, a Canadian judge ruled that Zundel's activities were not only a threat to national security, but "the international community of nations" as well.
A Canadian law, passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, allows the government to hold terrorism suspects without charge, based on secret evidence that does not have to be disclosed to a suspect or his defense.
Zundel was deported a few days later.
Holocaust denier sentenced to 5 years - Yahoo! News
The law was put in place by among others, the US.
Strange, other genocides can be denied and nothing happens to that person--what gives?:2razz:
The law was put in place by among others, the US.
Still....I don't see the point in throwing a Holocaust denier in prison. It's something that obviously happened and if you want to claim it didn't, so be it. That just means the rest of us get to point and laugh at you. But jail time seems a bit on the ludicrous side.
Couldn't you....you know....just learn from past mistakes instead of engaging is something that is obviously of dubious intent and a violation of natural rights? Are you really better off because you are throwing people in jail whom are just saying things or expressing their opinion? I don't think that's the proper solution. Government shouldn't be authorized to jail people because of opinion, that's IMO stepping over the line into tyranny.
so you do believe that the US should impose its belief system and form of government on other nations:mrgreen:Holocaust denier sentenced to 5 years - Yahoo! News
I dont get it. A person has the right to believe whatever it is they want. If they dont believe the holocaust happened. Thats fine by me. It doesn't change the fact that it did.
hmmmmmmmmmmHolocaust Denial laws are in effect in these countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Israel, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland.
A good short article on the subject and differing viewpoints:
BBC News: The fight against Holocaust denial
should one really be jailed over an opinion based on IGNORANCECouldn't you....you know....just learn from past mistakes instead of engaging is something that is obviously of dubious intent and a violation of natural rights? Are you really better off because you are throwing people in jail whom are just saying things or expressing their opinion? I don't think that's the proper solution. Government shouldn't be authorized to jail people because of opinion, that's IMO stepping over the line into tyranny.
Holocaust denier sentenced to 5 years - Yahoo! News
I dont get it. A person has the right to believe whatever it is they want. If they dont believe the holocaust happened. Thats fine by me. It doesn't change the fact that it did.
History is as an academic disipline that thrives on debate which is why limiting academic freedom would be disastrous.
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