Singen / Germany (RNN Correspondent) 21.04.1998
The Swiss funds for needy holocaust victims has payed subsidies for the first time in Germany. Three Roma who live in Singen/Hohentwiel received 2,000 Swiss francs each (about 2.400 DM). The Sinti, between 58 and 78 years of age, had been deported to concentration camps when they were children because they were migrants.
"I do remember very well hunger and cold in a Polish labour camp, where they put me when I was a child", says Josef Lehmann. Since that time he is suffering of rheumatism, disease of the intervertebral discs and arthrosis of the hips. Now he is old and socially needy - a man who meets the demands of the funds. Together with another two families he sits a bit shy in a pub in Singen and submits to TV-cameras, flashlights, and the questioning of the reporters.
The "reward" for this are 2,000 Swiss francs that he and his two friends receive vicariously for 42 more Roma, and Jenische from Germany, Switzerland, France, Great Britain, Spain, and Canada. "The subsidy is a little bit higher than the payments in East Europe because of the dwindling purchasing power", said Rolf Bloch, the president of the funds.
On occasion of the ceremony - the City of Muenster had not been able to offer a suitable room at short-term notice - Bloch emphasized that the outrages of the Nazis cannot be undone with this money. Neither it can be a reparation, but it is meant as a sign of solidarity.
The funds can only be paid out after application by the Sinti organization "Radgenossenschaft der Landstraße". Its president Robert Huber criticized the foreign Roma and Sinti agencies. "They do not inform the survivors of the holocaust and many of the victims do not get any payment though they are entitled to it. On the other hand many migrants are simply afraid of dealing with the authorities", he said.
The holocaust funds that was founded last year, supports mainly needy victims in East Europe. It has 273 millions Swiss francs at its disposal. 100 millions come from the Swiss leading banks respectively from the Swiss National Bank, and 73 millions from the industry. Until to-day 17 millions have been paid out; 15 millions are going to follow soon, including payments for victims in the United States and in Israel as well.
The funds was founded on account of the debates about the role of Switzerland and the Swiss banks during the Nazi time and the Second World War. It has nothing to do with the Swiss Solidarity Funds, on whose establishment the Swiss people have not yet voted on.