Ferencz lecture: Wiesenthal Holocaust Center

Ferencz lecture. Wiesenthal Holocaust Center, Los Angeles, CA. Second in five part series on Nazi war crimes trials. Ferencz discusses how the Nuremberg proceedings informed his life, his involvement in major restitution programs, and his understanding of "Never Again" through developing international law, an international criminal court, and defining aggression. He explains the legal precedents established at Nuremberg, including a) crime of aggression; b) crimes against humanity; c) trying heads of state; and d) guaranteeing rights to every prisoner (innocent until proven guilty in a court of law). Ferencz describes the mentality of his defendents at Nuremberg, elaborating on their intellect and benevolent family attitudes. In one case, he tells how General Ohlendorf, responsible for ordering the deaths of over 90,000 Jews, expressed a "humanitarian" approach in allowing mothers to hold their babies as they were being shot. He also describes the lack of remorse among defendents at Nuremberg. Ferencz explains in detail negotiations of a reparations agreement that awarded survivors compensation for deprivation of liberty as a result of incarceration in concentration camps (as a direct consequence of persecution). Ferencz urges the audience to recognize that Nuremberg marked the beginnings of an awakening of the human conscience to the injustices of nations. Ferencz stresses the need to codify international law and encourages common sense and individual involvement. A question and answer period follows.