Seven MPs to attend Auschwitz commemoration
Seven MPs are to attend a commemoration to mark the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.
The parliamentary delegation will be led by Carmelo Abela, Deputy Speaker, and will include Beppe Fenech Adami (PN) Francis Agius (PN) Owen Bonnici (PL) Leo Brincat (PL) Michael Falzon (PL) and Ninu Zammit (PN).
The event will be organised by the European Friends of Israel Mission to Auschwitz on January 26-27 in Krakow, Poland.
The programme will include an official ceremony at the Auschwitz-Birkenau camps and a special symposium on remembering the holocaust and fighting anti-Semitism.
Mr Abela will be addressing the symposium and chairing one of the sittings.
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Jesmond Micallef
Jan 25th 2010, 21:56
Well while whats happening in Palestine is obviously not in order. Definitely not in order at all considering the subject matter here. The use of Depo-provera on Ethiopian jews living in Israel is also of the same order. I concurr.
The reference to "dr. josef mengele" experiments on human life, I would have expected him to conduct some experimentation on his own family !! I am very sure he would have learned alot about the other aspects of us humans, we call EMOTIONS. Some scientists are indeed very intellectual and analytical but then again, emotionally, they be well be the equivalent of a Lamp Post !!!
I have to add, that most of that scientific research might have ended up in the Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Industries !!! Again, something to think about, I guess. !!!!
J. Ellul
Jan 25th 2010, 21:09
@Charles Sammut. Any reliable source???
P Agius
Jan 25th 2010, 20:35
It's an excellent initiative though too many MPs have been sent rendering the whole initiative as waste of money. Such funds should have been spent on organising tours to selected groups of students to witness the atrocities carried out by the nazis in Aushwitz..I have been to Auswithz twice and still cannot digest how high cultured Europeans could exercise so much harm to humanity. Also I think that Maltese population should be aware of other genocides such as a) the Khmer Rouge genocide (1975) - which was even worse than the holocaust b) The Ruanda genocide; c) the Armenian genocide; d) Stalin's infamous work camps in Siberia d) the apartheid systems in south africa and to a certain extent in Palestine.. To the 1.1m who perished in Aushwitz => Rest in Peace
Charles Sammut
Jan 25th 2010, 18:09
@ Gretel Ohayon I think that something more current should be taught in secondary schools, something that they can watch every day on tv, like the oppression of the Palestinian people and the occupation of their lands by Israel. While they're at it they should also teach them about Israel's unofficial policy of administering Depo-provera to Ethiopian jews living in Israel to keep down the number of black babies. 57% of Depo-provera used in Israel is used on Ehtiopian women. Ethiopians make 2% of the population. This drug is a long term contraceptive and one shot is effective for 4 months. Blood donations by blacks are also routinely discarded. http://www.jkcook.net/Articles3/0444.htm Dr Mengele must be turning in his grave.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Jan 25th 2010, 17:28
Four PL and three PN MPs away from the House would give Gonzipn some peace of mind if Franco Debono decides to take some more leave of absence before a division .
victor pulis
Jan 25th 2010, 17:19
Not to mention Josef Stalin who killed more Russians than Hitler. his purges in the red army resulted in a lack of generals when the nazis invaded the USSR. He also died in bed of old age. But he was an ally of the USA and England. Everyone seems to forget that in 1939 he had signed a non aggression pact with Hitler and invaded Poland from the east while Hitler blitzkrieged it from the West. Only after operation Barbarossa did he turn against Hitler. As they say; the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Jesmond Micallef
Jan 25th 2010, 17:11
Dear Victor Pulis, I do not call mr. werner von braun a brilliant scientist or personality of that kind whatsoever. I don't know if you have ever read a previous comment of mine relating to this person and many other like him who entered the USA under Operation Paper Clip. The thing is that these people who one can call "brilliant" make people such as Frau Sophie Scholl or her brother Herr Max Scholl and many many others look very much less "brilliant". Just to mention a couple. It is such people of that era in that historical context that I really have deep respect for. They are the forgotten heroes of the fight of the German People against small little man sad face moustache and his mobsters !!!
Jesmond Micallef
Jan 25th 2010, 14:50
Dear M.Galea,
Indeed, I mention Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge. What did Pol Pot and his mob do there ? An estimated 1.5 milion people where killed in the Killing Fields. For me its Asia's equivalent to the Jewish Holocaust in Europe. Pol Pot, the Leader of the Khmer Rouge Regime, died a natural death out of old age, while living free !!!
Idi Amin Dada a man with the title of :"His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Seas and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular"
What did he do in Uganda ?
He also died a natural death while living free in Saudia Arabia. !!!
victor pulis
Jan 25th 2010, 14:41
@ Jesmond Micallef
There is also Peenemunde from whereThe V1 and V2 terror weapons were launched. The programme were under the supervision of the brilliant scientist Werner von Braun. He was not tried for crimes against humanity like the other top nazis but instead found himself in the USA leading the american Apollo space programme which eventually took them to the moon. Forgotten were the V1s and 2s landing on London and the hundreds of civilians killed not to mention the slave labour. That shows how fickle war can be. And if one watches Dicovery channel one will get to know of atrocities commited by the allies but the winner writes history.
M. Galea
Jan 25th 2010, 13:35
It is very important to keep the memory of such horrific events alive so that they do not repeat themselves but I guess although the Holocaust is mentioned quite a few times in the media, it hasn't stopped other countries from committing heinous crimes.
And what about Rwanda? Bosnia etc etc. why aren't they also talked about as much? haven't they too suffered serious crimes against humanity? Are those to be forgotten??
Jesmond Micallef
Jan 25th 2010, 13:34
In Nürnberg, I have also visited the Palace of Justice, the Law Courts of Nürnberg. There is the famous "Room 600" where the leading high ranking nazi officials were put on trial. It is still pretty much the same as it was back then apart from some minor mdifications. The furniture and woodwork is still original. It is impressive really. The room is still in ordinary use to this day and it is also open to the public.
I was fortunate enough to be there on my own as a Policeman let me in. It is quite an experience just be in that room, believe me. It was so quite, almost spiritual. A room in which the History of Legal Justice was done. It was quite touching to be there.
I would recommend anyone visiting Nürnberg to visit this place.
Nürnberg is the city of balance. From the horrors of hatred to the Nuremberg Principles.
Humankind should never ever forget the horrendous cost of human life, whatever the nationality, culture, race, Religious belief and so on, these Legal Principles are based upon.
May God Bless all victims of violence, in whatever form, whoever they may be.
Gretel Ohayon
Jan 25th 2010, 13:22
May I take this opportunity to suggest that this ugly episode in the history of Mankind should be told in Secondary schools so that it is not forgotten and will not happen again.
Thank you
Gretel Ohayon
Jan 25th 2010, 13:20
What a wonderful gesture! thank you
carmel callus
Jan 25th 2010, 12:52
There's going to be three from each side of the House! Because Carmelo Abela will be representing the Chair.
David Buttigieg
Jan 25th 2010, 12:48
In case nobody noticed Carmelo Abela is attending in his capacity as Deputy Speaker and not to represent a political party.
Kudos for him!
Pauline Abela
Jan 25th 2010, 12:44
Just a clarification; the House of Representatives was invited to send a delegation and all expenses are being covered by the organisers. Pauline Abela, Clerk of the House
Jesmond Micallef
Jan 25th 2010, 12:38
It still beats my understanding on how humans can do such horrific acts to other fellow humans.
I have visited Mittelbau Dora in Nordhausen, Thüringen. Thats where the nazi regime built the V1 and V2 missiles, using forced labour off course. The place was opened to the public in 1990 after German Re-Unification. Its a large complex of caves dug in the chalk mountains on the outskirts of Nordhausen. It is highly recommended that before entering the caves, one wears a jacket to keep warm, even in summer. !! The original entry to the complex was actually blown up by the Russian Army when they got there first before the American Army did. One can see the rubble even to this day. Inside the caves is cold, and there is still thousands of parts from these weapons to be seen, laying and scattered on the floor.
Impressive but very very sad indeed. There is also an exhibition where various articles are shown, including hand made objects, writings, and even paintings on scraps of paper showing people hanging from the ceiling for everyone to see !!!
The nazi terror machine was nothing else but pure cold blooded HATRED.
lgalea
Jan 25th 2010, 12:22
g.c.Forte
You are right. One from both parties would have been enough.
A Abela
Jan 25th 2010, 12:11
Seven for Malta? I wonder how many other countries are sending!
John Abela
Jan 25th 2010, 12:08
@g.c. Forte
Because not EVERYTHING is purely political. Some respect for a serious occasion without bringing in petty politics would be very much appreciated from you.
g.c.Forte
Jan 25th 2010, 11:58
Why seven and not four P.L...and four P.N. = eight...........all in all we are going to pay for them, right ???