The Nuremberg Trials and Their Legacy

Name:
Elizabeth Robbins

June 12, 2009 08:44 PM

Location:
Detroit, Michigan 

Message:
If justice implies that there has been just consequence or an equitable punishment, then no justice can be delivered for the Jewish people who were persecuted and murdered by the Nazis. However, the inability to attain true justice should not deter us from holding those responsible accountable for their actions or from attempting to obtain small measures of justice for those who died and for those who survived.

Name:
Josephine Rodrigues

May 18, 2009 01:33 PM

Location:
Eagle Pass, Texas USA 

Message:
It is never too late to seek justice nor is it too late to educate individuals of the dangers of anti-semitism, racial bigotry, hate crimes, nor intolerance. At this time it is important to learn the lessons of the Holocaust and the important impact left by the Nuremburg Trials.

Name:
ify echezona

May 16, 2009 10:53 AM

Location:
nigeria 

Message:
Genocide is a shame on human existence.justice needs to b sought to the last because that is the only way we can secure that the logic of the fish,(where the big ones eat the small ones)does not become common place in our world.justice is necessary for peace and should be done with all avenues ensuring that human dignity is restored.Much thanks to the international community for the various ad hhoc tribunals, the ICC statute(2002),and other laws and efforts towards the stalling of future occurences, but we need to do more. justice for this crime should not be time-barred, because the pain sticks when the wound refuses to heal.

Name:
Alina

May 04, 2009 08:28 AM

Location:
 

Message:
The responsibility of genocide lies not only with the leaders and those who actively and physically persecuted others, but also with those who sat back and let it happen. There is never true justice for genocide because it is impossible to get all those who are responsible to pay their dues.

Name:
Olivia Reingold

May 03, 2009 08:10 PM

Location:
Washington DC 

Message:
Justice is the fair treatment of all people. A just administration is composed of professional people who leave their biased opinions out of their work, and that makes decisions based on what is morally right and reasonable. Yet no matter how hard authority attempts to be just it can never fully be so. This is because it is impossible for us to ever completely leave our preferences and prejudices out of the equation, due to our nature as humans. No matter how hard we strive for justice we will never truly be able to achieve it because of our hidden preconceptions and partiality in the back of our minds. As far as justice after genocide goes, the standards of true justice are complicated. It is impossible to lead a country back to justice after so many crimes have been committed. We can only try our best as human beings to evaluate the best punishment for those responsible for unspeakable crimes, but never really suffice without treating them as they treated others. In restoring justice after genocide, however difficult it may be, it is crucial to stay away from punishing criminals as they punished others, for this sinks us to their level. It is never too late the seek justice as long as those seeking it are willing to put everything they can into achieving the quixotic goal.

Name:
Sarah

May 03, 2009 11:43 AM

Location:
 

Message:
I don’t think that there can ever truly be justice after genocide. Imprisoning or executing someone doesn’t equal the lives that they took, and it doesn’t bring them back—all it does is create a sense of justice or peace in the mind of the survivors and the world. Is that enough? I can’t decide.
I think everyone who didn’t speak up or resist is responsible for the crimes. But because almost everyone is guilty in some form or another it is so difficult to seek justice through the criminal system. You just have to draw an arbitrary line. And it’s so difficult to place responsibility on people because everyone was in a situation where they would be severely punished if they resisted or spoke up. Maybe if everyone did, but that didn’t happen—some people spoke up, but not many followed. I think that it is unfair to place blame on someone or expect them to act differently because they did not risk their life in the hope of justice. We can point fingers now, but it’s entirely different to act another way in a situation. That doesn’t make it right by any means.
I think that seeking justice is ineffective. I doubt the threat of a criminal trial would’ve made anyone act differently during the situation. Maybe something like what was done in South Africa with Bishop Tutu or Rwanda—a reconciliation committee, or a window of time for people to come forward and confess with no repercussions.
But I agree with Awanti—the best justice is making sure it never happens again.

Name:
Grayson

May 02, 2009 03:02 PM

Location:
Washington 

Message:
It's hard to decide what justice is becaus justice is a point of view. Some people, may feel like the death sentence is a just punishment. but others feel that it doesn't bring closure to the events that occured. Hitler and the Nazi party killed alot of people. but killing them as punishment would seem evil to those close to them and Germany nor does it make those who lost their families' feel like justice has been served

Name:
Pablo

May 02, 2009 12:06 PM

Location:
Washington, DC 

Message:
Justice can always be served; it is never too late to do right. When justice is served, we cannot forget about the event, but we should talk about it even more so that we know how to prevent it in the future. Many people are responsible for one crime. In the Holocaust for example, the Nazis were the most responsible, but the bystanders were also responsible for not taking action. And, the people of Germany for supporting Hitler and the Nazis, are also responsible for the tragedy of the Holocaust.

Name:
Diana

April 26, 2009 10:14 AM

Location:
New Jersey 

Message:
Political and military leaders, clergy, journalists, and especially bystanders and foreign governments like the U.S. who waited way too long before becoming involved. Attrocities like the Holocaust, Darfur and Rwanda can only occur when we continue to ignore the genocide that happens around us. Anyone who says that "they're just following orders" is as guilty as the leader ordering the crimes. If Hitler didn't have blind followers and bystanders, he wouldn't have managed to create the Holocaust by himself. I am not excusing him, but am affirming that the Holocaust was able to occur because masses of people allowed it to happen.

Name:
Awanti

April 04, 2009 02:54 PM

Location:
 

Message:
There can be no justice after genocide, the wrong doers can be punished, but justice goes hand in hand with making peace with oneself about what happened, making sure its not forgotten, the people who have gone are not forgotten and keeping this in mind moving on the best one can.
Maybe this hasn't happened - Darfur, China, Tibet, India, the list is still endless and the pain goes on.