Four years of Hanau: We don’t forget!

Berlin, February 19.02.2024, XNUMX. Exactly four years ago, Gökhan Gültekin, Sedat Gürbüz, Said Nesar Hashemi, Mercedes Kierpacz, Hamza Kurtović, Vili Viorel Păun, Fatih Saraçoğlu, Ferhat Unvar and Kaloyan Velkov were brutally torn from their lives and from their loved ones. The inhumane and racist ideology that murdered these nine people four years ago has a continuity in Germany.

Today marks the fourth anniversary of the racist and right-wing extremist attack in Hanau, but the worries of the victims' families and relatives have not subsided - on the contrary. The publications of Correctiv's research show how far racist and right-wing ideologues are with their concrete plans against immigrants and refugees or people perceived as such. Whether people were born and raised here, live here in the 2nd, 5th or 10th generation, are German citizens or not, does not matter to racists in this society. All racists, fascists and right-wing extremists in the world agree on this.

Just a year ago (2023), Serpil Temiz Unvar, mother of Ferhat Unvar, appealed: “Don't leave us alone and work decisively with us so that no more racist incidents happen in the future. Work decisively with us so that our children and grandchildren can grow up in Germany, their homeland, without divisions and without fear".

Unfortunately, the continuity of right-wing violence is still part of everyday life in Germany and many people with a history of flight and migration and BIPoC see their lives threatened in this country. Racism, sexism and right-wing extremism can be found at the heart of German society and have their breeding ground there. The deportation plans recently published by Correctiv show precisely this broad involvement of various actors. Right-wing politicians continue to have too many platforms in the media to spread their inhumane ideologies.

The numbers speak for themselves: right-wing, racist and anti-Semitic violence is continuously increasing. According to VBRG (Association of Advice Centers for Those Affected by Right-Wing, Racist and Anti-Semitic Violence), at least five people in Germany become victims of right-wing, racist or anti-Semitic violence every day. Halle, Hanau, Mölln and Solingen are not isolated cases.

Right-wing narratives, racism, anti-feminism and conspiracy theories are deeply rooted in society and endanger our liberal democracy and our diverse society.

We show solidarity with the initiatives and demands of those affected and demand political consequences at all levels. Security authorities and countries must investigate right-wing extremist, racist and sexist acts of terrorism completely and consistently. Racism, right-wing extremism and anti-feminism must have no place in our coexistence.

No forgiveness! No forgetting! Hanau is everywhere! Never again is now! Migrant lives matter!

Be loud, take to the streets, show solidarity and organize yourself! Let us stand up together for a diverse and free democracy, because diversity is our strength and solidarity is our strength!

The 19 February Hanau initiative has put together an extensive list of demonstrations and rallies.

Overview of the events in the series: 4 years after Hanau

10.02.2024 Podcast episode with Armin Kurtovi? in the “Ten Twelve” podcast of the Fritz Bauer Forum

19.02.2024 “Critical Whiteness” – we read texts about Hanau (Langendreer train station)

21.02.2024 Film screening “Single Perpetrator – Hanau” and subsequent online conversation with the filmmaker (Fritz Bauer Forum)

24.02.2024 Short film evening at endstation.kino (“Made in Germany 3: Migration”)

25.02.2024 Ferat Kocak on the topic “Right-wing terror from Hanau to Berlin Neukölln! Why politics, police and justice fail.” (Langendreer train station)

The events collect donations for the February 19th Hanau initiative.

DaMigra eV represents the interests of women migrant organizations and their concerns and advocates equal opportunities, equal participation and the equality of women with a history of migration and refugee experience in Germany. DaMigra follows the approach of anti-racist feminism.