Processing Nazi “Euthanasia” and Forced Sterilizations
On January 29, 2025, at 21:10, the German Federal Archives published an article titled “Aufarbeitung von NS-„Euthanasie“ und Zwangssterilisationen” (Processing Nazi “Euthanasia” and Forced Sterilizations). This article provides an overview of the ongoing efforts to document and process the crimes committed under the National Socialist (Nazi) regime in the areas of “euthanasia” and forced sterilizations.
The Crimes
During the Nazi era, the regime carried out systematic programs of “euthanasia” and forced sterilizations as part of its eugenics policies. The “euthanasia” program targeted individuals with physical and mental disabilities. Between 1939 and 1941, an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 people were murdered in Nazi institutions. The forced sterilizations targeted people deemed “genetically inferior,” including people with physical or mental disabilities, Roma and Sinti, and people with hereditary diseases. An estimated 400,000 people were forcibly sterilized during this period.
Post-War Investigations
After the end of World War II, there were limited investigations into these crimes. In 1965, the statute of limitations for murder was lifted, allowing for further prosecutions. However, many of the perpetrators were already dead or could not be found. As a result, only a small number of individuals were convicted for their involvement in these atrocities.
Renewed Focus on Documentation and Prosecution
In recent decades, there has been a renewed focus on documenting and prosecuting Nazi crimes. The German Federal Archives has been working to collect and preserve records related to these crimes. The Central Office for the Investigation of National Socialist Crimes (Zentrale Stelle der Landesjustizverwaltungen zur Aufklärung nationalsozialistischer Verbrechen) has been actively investigating and prosecuting Nazi perpetrators.
The “Euthanasia” Files
In 2014, the German Federal Archives released the so-called “Euthanasia Files,” which contained over 100,000 documents related to the Nazi “euthanasia” program. These documents provide a detailed account of the program’s organization, implementation, and victims.
Ongoing Investigations
The German authorities continue to investigate Nazi crimes. In 2023, a 96-year-old former Nazi nurse was convicted of complicity in the murder of over 100 patients at a psychiatric hospital. The prosecution relied heavily on evidence from the “Euthanasia Files.”
Significance of Documentation and Prosecution
The documentation and prosecution of Nazi crimes is essential for several reasons. First, it ensures that the victims of these heinous crimes are remembered and their suffering is acknowledged. Second, it provides a historical record of the Holocaust and prevents the revisionism or denial of these crimes. Third, it sends a strong message that even the most heinous crimes will not go unpunished.
Aufarbeitung von NS-„Euthanasie“ und Zwangssterilisationen
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