German Minister-President Mario Voigt Urges Recognition for Victims of the SED Regime
Thuringia’s Minister-President, Mario Voigt, has called for greater societal recognition of the victims of the SED regime in East Germany. In an interview with the Rheinische Post, Voigt emphasized that the survivors of the SED’s brutal rule deserve to be heard and acknowledged. He believes that their life stories must be preserved and understood as a warning for the present and future, serving as a reminder of the importance of upholding justice and human rights.
Voigt stressed the need for continued recognition and respect for the personal struggles of those who suffered under the SED’s repression. “Their story is a legacy that we must pass on to the younger generation, so that injustice never again has a chance to take hold” he said.
The Minister-President also announced that an interministerial working group, involving the Thuringian State Commissioner for the Investigation of the SED Regime, will begin its work this year. Furthermore, the Thuringian state government aims to ensure that all Thuringian school students visit at least one memorial or remembrance site, both for the NS and SED regimes, to educate them about the importance of remembering and learning from the past.
Voigt concluded by emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the past in order to prevent a repeat of the same injustices. “We owe the victims not only remembrance, but also justice” he said, reiterating the need for continued recognition and respect for the survivors of the SED regime.