April 2025 – International youth meeting in Buchenwald

27. September 2024

Some will remember the spring of 2008, when the International Federation of Resistance Fighters (FIR) and the then “Institut des Veterans” (IV) (Belgium) hosted an international youth meeting entitled “Train des Milles” (“Train of a Thousand”) at the Buchenwald Concentration Camp Memorial. The title of the meeting was reminiscent of the historic deportation trains from Brussels to the extermination camps in the east, in which around 1000 people were deported to extermination per train. A large number of participants from all over Europe started in the Belgian capital and took a special train to Weimar, where the youth meeting took place. Several hundred young people from Thuringia and other parts of Germany awaited them in Weimar. There they learned about the history of the Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora concentration camps and took part in various events. At that time, there was still the opportunity to talk to contemporary witnesses. The memorial march from Weimar to the Ettersberg made a big impression. There, after the event organized by the International Committee Buchenwald-Dora and Commandos (IKBD), the meeting ended with a “Youth Rally” at the bell tower. Representatives of the IKBD, the Belgian government and young people spoke here, reaffirming the legacy of the Buchenwald survivors with their words. It was not only the commemoration that was remembered, but also the European meeting of young people under the label of anti-fascist remembrance. When people talk about a united Europe today, it is the joint action of all parts of the anti-Hitler coalition that forms the basis of this transnational unity.

In the following years, further youth meetings were held in this format at the Auschwitz Memorial, at this occasion with the help of the Auschwitz Foundation (Belgium). In 2020, a youth meeting that had already been prepared fell victim to the coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, everyone involved was convinced that this form of historical education work with young people should be continued. Last fall, Jean Cardoen and Jill Lampaert presented their experiences with visits to the Buchenwald Concentration Camp Memorial at the congress in Barcelona and presented the planned project of an international youth meeting there. Following various preliminary discussions, the project has now been finalized to such an extent that we can now provide all member associations and interested parties with initial, binding information.

For April 2025, the Belgian War Heritage Institute (WHI – successor to the IV) and the FIR, in consultation with the IKBD, are now preparing a repeat of the impressive youth event held in 2008 to mark the IKBD’s liberation ceremony in Buchenwald.
The plan is for all participants to arrive on Friday (April 4, 2025), there will be intensive content-related activities on Saturday and Sunday, and the return journey of the foreign participants is scheduled for Monday (April 7, 2025). This schedule has been agreed with the IKBD and the Buchenwald Memorial. So far, guided visits to the concentration camp memorial by young people for young people, discussion groups on remembrance work, a joint concert, the memorial march from Weimar to the Ettersberg and participation in the IKBD rally on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of self-liberation are planned. There it is planned that the Buchenwald oath will be repeated for future generations. A youth rally is also planned as the final event this year as well as – optionally – a short visit to Weimar as the “City of Classics” and the early NSDAP rule.

It is important for all interested parties to contact political and social youth groups, teachers and other multipliers in the second half of 2024 in order to obtain an overview of the expected number of participants in good time. In coordination with the Thuringian Youth Hostel Association, overnight accommodation capacities have been reserved, but these must be fixed until the end of the year.
It is essential that all young people familiarize themselves with the history of Buchenwald Concentration Camp and the significance of remembrance for today and tomorrow in the run-up to the meeting. This is an important prerequisite for ensuring that this meeting is not just a symbolic “one-day event”, but can have an impact on raising young people’s awareness for the future.

Obituary Dušan Čukić

7. Juni 2024

We are deeply saddened to announce the death of honorary presidency member and long-time president of the Serbian member federation SUBNOR. He died at the age of 87. A journalist for many years, he devoted his retirement to his work in SUBNOR. It was also thanks to him that the Serbian comrades became active full members of FIR again after years as an observer. We remember with satisfaction the important Balkan Peace Conference of SUBNOR and FIR in Belgrade, which took place on his initiative. Meetings of the FIR Executive Committee in Belgrade and joint celebrations to mark the anniversaries of the liberation of Yugoslavia were made possible with his active support.
We were able to experience the high esteem in which he was held in Serbia. The Serbian government not only paid tribute to him as a person, but also to SUBNOR and its decades of socio-political work.
Dušan Čukić embodied the ideals of the FIR in his work and his person. For this reason, he was appointed a member of the Honorary Presidency at the XVIII Regular Congress of FIR in Reggio Emilia, a distinction that was confirmed at the last FIR Congress in Barcelona.
Due to his serious illness in recent months, he was no longer able to be as active in this task as he would certainly have liked. However, we are sure that he was committed to the common cause until his last breath.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to his wife and three children, as well as to his comrades in the Serbian SUBNOR association.

Vilmos Hanti, President
Dr. Ulrich Schneider, Secretary General

Urgend call for European Election

26. Mai 2024

2024-colour-Call-EuropeHerunterladen

Call of FIR for the European Parliament Electoral Campaign

9. April 2024

The next elections to the European Parliament will take place in June 2024.
The International Federation of Resistance Fighters (FIR) – Association of Anti-fascists remembers that the ideals of a common peaceful Europe based on the resistance fight against the fascist barbarism and the politics of violence and by extermination of Nazism. Our goal also for today’s Europe is embedded in the “oath of Buchenwald”: “Creating a new world of peace and freedom!”

In recent years, the policy and development of the European Union did not correspond to the interests of large parts of the people. In addition, we see the tendencies to foreclosure of the “fortress Europe” and the militarization of the European Union. On the other hand, the Covid pandemic has forced the EU to initiate the most impressive financing program for the revival of the economy and civil progress of the member countries.
Second, we are facing a significant upraise of openly racist, nationalist and far right parties in many European countries. They are represented in national, regional and local assemblies, in addition they influence the government in several states with their anti-democratic and racist policies.
Although we know that inside our ranks (as well as within other democratic movements) there are different perspectives on the role of the European Union, we should react common in this electoral campaign. The anti-fascist, anti-racist and peace-moving organizations, and groups, as well as trade unions, religious groups and social movements must thus join their forces, engaging to successfully counter such a scenario. The basis of this action is not a vote for a party, but a common advocacy for a European Union of the people. That means:
• opposing any form of nationalism, separatist attempts, racial discrimination, or xenophobia, working for the rights of the refugees and minorities,
• promoting better and decent living and working conditions in all countries,
• to qualify the economic and social policy courses, by placing at the center the realization of the full equality of treatment and rights between all genders;
• to make education, schooling and training pathways as the fundamental instruments of integration, social and individual development of European citizens, first and foremost towards the younger generations;
• opposing any form of Holocaust denial, denial of the resistance fight, destruction of memorial sites, falsification of history and rehabilitation of SS criminals,
• advocating a peace policy based not on domination in matter of foreign policy, but on non-military conflict solutions. Therefore to create the conditions to succeed in a new European Security Conference – “Helsinki 2” as it is often called – to set a new reference framework for international relations and get out of the serious ongoing crisis.
This Europe is possible if the peoples actively and vocally campaign for their rights and leave a mark through the next elections to the European Parliament. Because the trend toward abstentions strengthen the risk that far right forces will prevail in many member states, leading, FIR call for vote against far right parties and will do its best on an international level to connect existing initiatives, social organizations, trade unions and movements in order to become a common political voice in Europe.

Joint statement by World Veterans Federation and International Federation of Resistance Fighters (FIR) concerning the terrorist attack in Moscow:

24. März 2024

The two presidents of WVF and FIR, El Mostafa El Ktiri and Vilmos Hanti, strongly condemn all forms of terrorism, express their astonishment at the terrorist acts perpetrated in Moscow, and express their condolences to the families of the victims.

Communiqué commun de FMAC et de FIR concernant l’attaque terroriste à Moscou:

Les deux présidents du FMAC et de FIR, El Mostafa El Ktiri et Vilmos Hanti, condamnent fermement toutes les formes de terrorisme, font état de leur étonnement quant aux actes terroristes perpétrés à Moscou, et expriment leurs condoléances aux membres des familles des victimes.

Gemeinsame Erklärung des WVF und der FIR zum terroristischen Angriff in Moskau:

Die beiden Präsidenten des WVF und der FIR, El Mostafa El Ktiri und Vilmos Hanti, verurteilen alle Formen des Terrorismus aufs Schärfste, zeigen sich erstaunt über die Terrorakte in Moskau und sprechen den Angehörigen der Opfer ihr Beileid aus.

Публикация совместного заявления WVF и FIR по поводу теракта в Москве

Президенты WVF и FIR Эль Мостафа Эль Ктири и Вилмос Ханти решительно осуждают все формы терроризма, выражают свое удивление по поводу террористических актов, совершенных в Москве, и выражают соболезнования семьям погибших.

Joint appeal for world peace and security

23. März 2024

During a meeting of the President of the World Veterans Federation(WVF) and the President of the International Federation of Resistance Fighter(FIR) – Association of Anti-fascists in Budapest, the following declaration was published:

We, the President of the World Veterans Federation and the President of the International Resistance Federation, are deeply concerned by the conflicts and hostilities that persist throughout the world, sowing suffering and distress among innocent civilian populations. We unreservedly support peace efforts in ongoing conflicts, based on justice and in conformity with international law and the United Nations Charter. We demand the immediate cessation of acts of destruction against humanity.
Recent events around the world remind us of the urgent need to act to put an end to violence, and we strongly condemn attacks against civilians and essential infrastructure, which are a grave violation of international humanitarian law. We urge all parties to respect their relevant obligations and to allow unhindered humanitarian access to affected populations.
We appeal to the conscience of all actors involved in these conflicts to put an end to the violence, taking into account their international legal obligations.
Together, united in our commitment to peace and collective global security, we make an urgent appeal to support our efforts to end conflict and build a better future for all the world’s peoples.

FIR congratulates on International Women’s Day

8. März 2024

It is by no means a new insight, but it must be emphasized repeatedly that women played an indispensable role in the ranks of the anti-Hitler coalition. They were among the active fighters in the ranks of the Soviet partisans, like Zoia Kosmodemyanskaya, whom we remembered in the FIR bulletin some time ago. They were fighters in the illegal resistance movement, like the Dutch woman Hannie Schaft, the “girl with the red hair”, or they were active in the student resistance, like Sophie Scholl, a member of the German “White Rose” group. We mention these three names in the knowledge that in all countries where there was anti-fascist resistance, women played a great role in the ranks of the resistance movement. At the risk of their lives, they fought for freedom, democracy and human rights, for international solidarity and peaceful coexistence between peoples. These women also broke through the traditional gender roles assigned to them and lived out their emancipation.
When they wanted to redefine their social role after the destruction of fascist barbarism, they often had to experience that the male mechanisms of domination had not been abolished simply by overcoming the old order. In many cases, they had to assert actual equality and recognition of gender justice in everyday political and social life. They also made a great contribution here.
In many FIR member federations, women played an important role and made their perspective clear. FIR has expressed its appreciation of this lifetime achievement by appointing Esther Bejarano (Germany), Celine van de Hoek de Vries (Netherlands), Lore Krüger (Germany), Barbara Piotrowska (Poland), Delfina Tomás (Spain) and Marie-Louise Vanderborght-Veldemann (Belgium) as members of the Honorary Presidium.

We know very well that symbolic recognition is still a long way from making gender equality an everyday reality. This also includes social justice, as called for in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, equal pay for work of equal value, equal access to education and qualifications, decent working and living conditions, the creation of a framework for childcare and the division of household and care work that enables women to take their place in society. We recall how many women have linked their fight for equal rights with the advocacy of a socially just, democratic and peaceful society, as already propagated by the German socialist and women’s rights activist Clara Zetkin at the resolution of the first International Socialist Women’s Conference in Stuttgart in 1907. Although the focus was initially on political equality and women’s suffrage, even then it was also about social equality.
This means something completely different to the “feminist” issues pushed to the fore by the media today. Anyone who talks about “feminist foreign policy” and at the same time advocates militarization and the prolongation of war is trampling on the interests of women in all war zones. Those who criticize the oppression of women through reactionary, religiously legitimized dress codes, but at the same time engage in racist persecution and exclusion of people with a Muslim background, do not stand for equality and tolerance.

FIR and its member federations therefore do not see International Women’s Day as a “symbolic day” for women’s emancipation, but as an obligation for all of us to work towards these goals 365 days a year. With this in mind, we wish all women in our organizations and beyond all the best for International Women’s Day with the historic slogan: “Bread and Roses!”

FIR is concerned about Nazi-marching in Budapest

12. Februar 2024

On February 10, in Budapest anti-fascists from several European countries commemorated – invited by the Hungarian antifascist organization MEASZ – the 79th anniversary of liberation of the town by the soviet army, supported by the Hungarian resistance. We were glad to have important speaker, the deputy major of Budapest, representatives of the civil society and – as high-light – the Holocaust survivor Katlin Sommer on the floor.

Anti-fascists from Italy and Germany condemned in its speeches the way the Hungarian justice handle the trial against two young persons they are accused for violence against political opponents. We see in this trial a harsh disregarding of the rules of law.
We are strongly concerned that this day, accepted and supported by the Hungarian government, a Nazi-marching to glorify the SS, Wehrmacht, and Hungarian collaborators took place on the other side of the river with about more than 1.000 participants from several European countries.
We are also concerned about the fact that, while the Hungarian police protected the Nazi-marching, it hindered a group of German and Austrian anti-fascists to participate at the commemorative event for the liberation of Budapest. The police stopped their bus outside of Budapest and controlled a long time all guests in this bus, so they could not come just in time to the ceremony.

All the best for New Year 2024

21. Dezember 2023

,

We wish all our comrades, friends and companions in struggle good health, strengh and peace in 2024.
Nous souhaitons à tous nos camarades, amis et compagnons de lutte, bonne santé, force et paix en
2024.
Wir wünschen allen Kameradinnen und Kameraden, Freunden und Mitstreitern Gesundheit, Kraft und
Frieden im Jahr 2024.
Желаем всем нашим товарищам, друзьям и спутникам в борьбе крепкого здоровья , стойкости
и мира в 2024 году.

We are deeply concerned – peace in the Middle East now!

13. Dezember 2023

For more than two months, the Middle East conflict between Israel and Palestine has been raging again with terrible consequences for all people living there. After October 7, FIR and its member associations clearly condemned Hamas’ criminal massacre of civilians on the border with the Gaza Strip and the visitors to the music festival. The abduction of civilians as hostages is also a crime. For us, there is no doubt about the right of the Israeli state to its territorial integrity.
In view of the military escalation and the consequences for the civilian population in Gaza, we have been calling for a ceasefire and the start of negotiations from the outset. This appeal, which was made by politicians from all over the world, was not heard.
The consequences are devastating for the people in the region. The United Nations is already talking about over 15,000 people killed and tens of thousands injured who are no longer receiving medical care due to the bombing of clinics by the Israeli army’s ongoing operation in the Gaza Strip. Blockade measures are massively restricting the supply of food, energy and other essential goods to the population in Gaza. We are also receiving information about increasing acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, which have already claimed the lives of several hundred people.

It was a positive sign that negotiators from Qatar succeeded in releasing some of the hostages in several stages in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. However, this act of humanity is currently stalling because one side of the negotiations is showing clear reservations about these exchanges.
We are concerned that the balanced resolution of the United Nations Security Council in favor of an immediate ceasefire to protect the civilian population was prevented by the US veto. We cannot accept when the peace-brokering role of the United Nations and its Secretary-General in this conflict is denounced as “unilateral support”.
Only negotiations can provide the basis for an end to the fighting and a peace solution. We are disappointed when the Israeli Prime Minister publicly declares that the Oslo peace agreement with the Palestinians in the 1990s was “an original sin”.
We appeal to all states that have influence over the two warring parties to work towards a ceasefire and the start of negotiations. This is the only way to save the abducted Israeli hostages and prevent further casualties among the Palestinian civilian population.
This war must end immediately!

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