Reinhold Hanning "Probably Worked At Auschwitz Ramps"

I agree with idea that throwing an elderly man in prison is a bit useless. It's not so much the punishment as it is the principal and symbolism. Deep down I hope these men and women have suffered and hate themselves for their crimes. For the rest of us, those crimes cannot be ignored and must be remembered until the end of time
These trials are continued historical record and serve as a constant reminder that it can never be repeated and we will never forget the millions who have suffered and continue to suffer.

 

People like him were routinely sentenced to three or more years in prison in Poland after the war - according to the legal principle of complicity. And it was seen as reasonable by the Allies, after all Auschwitz needed all the Hannings to exist and operate.
But it's a mistake there is no statute of limitations for war crimes. People, especially "little people" like Hanning shouldn't be forced to live their entire lives in constant fear.

 

You believe men and women who are complicit in the events of the Holocaust should not live in fear?

 

Statutes of limitations have been invented 2500 years ago by people who believed late prosecution creates more cruelty than the initial crime itself.

Another reason is people like Hanning can't defend themselves properly, because after so many years most of the evidence is lost, and most of his witnesses are dead. He might have been a nice, helpful person that saved others from death - today he will not be able to prove it.
And actually it happened sometimes that prisoners testified on behalf of their guards and they were subsequently acquitted.
The right of defence is one of the basic human rights, late prosecution partially denies it.

Additionally the 94-year-old Hanning is a different person from the 24-year-old Hanning, he remembers almost nothing from his youth, his personality is almost certainly entirely different. Basically they are going to punish the wrong person - after so many years the 24-year-old Hanning doesn't exist any more.

People like Hanning frequently volunteered to work on the ramp, not because they hated anyone but because they were awarded with a measure of vodka, and a few small sausages. This shows how "little", how poor they were if they were ready to work for half a day under the scorching sun for a piece of sausage.
And actually the prisoners who helped them were volunteers too, for the same reasons.

 

Well thought out response. I believe there are extenuating circumstances for such statutes, such as the Holocaust due to its nature.