Five years after the Hanau attack, the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has called for social cohesion in the face of growing divisions.
Speaking at a central commemoration event in Hanau, Steinmeier emphasized the importance of unity in the face of extremism and hatred. “There are millions of people across our country who are actively combating racism, right-wing extremism and any form of hatred towards others” he said. “I remain convinced that the vast majority of our population wants to live in freedom and diversity.”
However, Steinmeier also emphasized the need for this majority to make its voice heard. “We must stand up whenever people are reduced to their origin, religion, or skin color” he said. “We must stand with those who are looked down upon, insulted, or threatened.” He urged the use of a “language of respect” in public debates, saying it should become the common language of our public spaces.
The President also paid tribute to the nine unique individuals who lost their lives in the Hanau attack five years prior. “We remember the nine people who were brutally taken from our midst by a right-wing extremist” he said. “Our grief, pain and empathy only make us more determined to stand together, to hold together and to live together.” This, he said, is the message of Hanau and it will remain so.