13 July 2018 No 15/16 ISSN 1664-7963

Current Concerns PO Box CH-8044 Zurich Current Concerns Switzerland The international journal for independent thought, ethical standards, moral responsibility, Phone: +41 44 350 65 50 Fax: +41 44 350 65 51 and for the promotion and respect of public international law, human rights and humanitarian law

E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.currentconcerns.ch English Edition of Zeit-Fragen

The Raiffeisenbanks in Switzerland and the principle of cooperation Dr phil René Roca*

For more than 20 years I have, with con- is based in St Gallen. If one studies Raif- viction, been a member of one of the 255 feisen Switzerland’s statutes, the special legally autonomous and cooperatively or- article stating the purpose of the associa- ganised Raiffeisenbanks. However, lately, tion (Article 3) is also remakable: “Raif- like many other members of the coopera- feisen Switzerland aims to propagate and tive, I have been alarmed by certain de- reinforce the cooperative ideas of Frie- velopments in this cooperative bank. The drich Wilhelm Raiffeisen in Switzerland Vincenz case, which I will not go into any [...]” Again, “mutual self-help” is men- further, is only symptomatic of these. tioned, and the “cooperative ideas of Frie- drich Wilhelm Raiffeisen” are even to be If you visit the website of my bank, the propagated and reinforced. Raiffeisenbank Rohrdorferberg-Fislis- th bach, you come across a comic strip, well- Cooperative roots in the 19 century made in terms of PR and in a prominent At this point it is needful to take a short position, which advertises membership of trip into history. As a mayor in his Ger- the bank and concludes with the following man hometown, Friedrich Wilhelm Raif- motto: “Become co-owner of a bank, and feisen (1818-1888), whose 200 th birthday determine how things are going to be.” we are celebrating this year, saw the hard- The motto confirms an important guide- ships and worries of the farmers and trad- line of the cooperative principle. If I want ers of his time. Loans were only to be to become a member of a Raiffeisenbank, had with high interest rates and borrow- Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen I buy a share and so become co-owner ers were soon caught in a debt trap. From (1818–1888) (picture www.raiffeisen.ch) of the bank. At the annual general meet- what he saw, Raiffeisen drew the practi- ing, I have exactly one vote, regardless of cal conclusion that the needy could only the late Middle Ages. That is why the whether I have one or more share certifi- engage in the fight against usury and for idea of Raiffeisen fell on fertile ground cates – according to the principle of “one fair credit in a joint alliance, true to the especially in our country. In 1899, Fa- person, one vote”. But the cooperative motto: “All for one and one for all”. The ther Johann Traber (1854-1930) found- idea involves much more. soon-to-be-founded “Aid Organisation” ed the first Raiffeisenbank in Bichelsee. was “mutual self-help” in action, and the Since then, Bichelsee has been referred to Mutual self-help as purpose? foundation stone for the first Raiffeisen- as the “Raiffeisen Rütli of Switzerland”. If I look at the important article stating the bank. Raiffeisen assigned the task to serve Father Traber writes about the first Raif- purpose of my Raiffeisenbank in its arti- as garantors for debts to richer fellow cit- feisenbank: “So the institution is really cles of association, I come across the fol- izens. For example, farmers borrowed democratic and at the same time genuine- lowing sentence (Art. 2): “The bank con- money to buy cows. They had to pay back ly Christian; it is not money that governs ducts the following banking transactions the loan within five years. Their wealthy here, but the moral value of the individual in mutual self-help in the sense of the co- fellow citizens were liable for potential person.” The cooperative banks supported operative ideas of Friedrich Wilhelm Raif- losses in solidarity and with their pri- industrialisation in Switzerland sustaina- feisen [...].” What does this article of pur- vate assets. There was no dividend. Later, bly and underpinned by democracy. pose mean? What does “mutual self-help” the borrowers became members, too, as Apart from that, the cooperative prin- mean? What exactly do the “cooperative they formed savings in good times, which ciple and thus the demand for self-deter- ideas of Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen” could in turn be mortgaged. This form of mination were an essential tradition in include? Article 5 of the articles of asso- capacity-building is a socio-ethical prin- the 19th century, to first of all develop and ciation further states that the bank is “a ciple that belongs to the cooperative idea then continuously expand direct democra- member of Raiffeisen Switzerland” and and has its roots in Christian charity, as cy with the referendum and initiative first recognises its statutes. Raiffeisen Swit- Raiffeisen repeatedly emphasised. at the communal and cantonal level and fi- zerland is itself organised as a coopera- The cooperative idea can be explained nally also in the Swiss Confederation. tive. My bank, the Raiffeisenbank Rohr- as resting on three terms combined with dorferberg-Fislisbach, is thus as it were a the word “self”: In addition to self-help Considerations for securing and member of Raiffeisen Switzerland, which these are self-responsibility and self-de- strengthening the cooperative principle termination. The will to self-determina- So what does this cooperative idea mean today? How can Raiffeisen’s ideas be * René Roca has a doctorate in history and is a tion has a long tradition in the Swiss Con- grammar school teacher. He heads the Research federation. Cooperatives in various forms Institute for Direct Democracy (www.fidd.ch). have been attested in Switzerland since continued on page 2 No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 2 Summit of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin km. In recent days it has become known sidered with sometimes sharp polemics. Europe for US interests. The interests of that representatives of the US and Rus- And not only in the “New York Times” many European people remained second- sian governments are preparing a summit and the “Washington Post” in the USA. In ary, even among European governments. meeting of the presidents of both coun- Germany, almost all supra-regional main- Donald Trump has another variant. He de- tries, Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. stream media have adapted to the specifica- fines “America first” not only in the mean- The US National Security Advisor John tions of the two US newspapers. Read the ing, that the US should focus on preserv- Bolton was in Moscow therefore. The comments of the “Frankfurter Allgemeine ing its national interests. In other states, meeting is scheduled for 16 July and shall Zeitung”, the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, he does not see servant vassals any more, take place in the Finnish capital Helsinki the “Welt”, Spiegel online and also on but rather “competitors”. Considering its – a historical place (CSCE) for an under- Deutschlandfunk and tagesschau.de. Inter- meaning for the states of Europe, there standing between East and West. esting is the thrust direction. “Frankfurter are different signals. “Deals” are usually Since the election of Donald Trump, Allgemeine Zeitung” of 29 June 2018 e.g. something that should benefit both parties. US tried to prevent a summit like that. Al- writes that “a good relationship between But there are also strong signs that point in legations against the US president (“Rus- America and Russia is in the best interests a different direction. siagate”) served this purpose among othes. of Europeans,” and adds that “the glob- If the US President really should be Donald Trump’s hand should be tied, the al rivalry between Washington and Mos- able to improve the US-Russian rela- success of a meeting with the Russian cow was held first of all on our continent”. tionship and avert the danger of a major president should be prevented at the out- At the same time, however, it is said in the war, this is to be welcome. Concerning set. For Donald Trump had repeatedly same sentence that both had only applied the summit White House speaker Lind- stated in the election campaign that he “earlier.” Today all this applied no longer say Walters said, the US president hoped was interested in trying to improve the ex- because Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir tremely tense relations between the two are “practicing nationalists” who “take lit- Putin to relax the situation and engage in countries. This concern met with massive tle care” on European interests. constructive cooperation. Literally she resistance in the US and European Politi- What do you think of such phrasing, said: “Mr President attaches great impor- cians who had committed to the previous considering that after the Second World tance to this conversation in order to find governments and the candidate Hillary War all US governments did a great deal out whether Russia is interested in devel- Clinton. to keep Europe in a vassal status? “Amer- oping relations with the USA.” Would It is interesting that also the current at- ica first” was also in the decades before the European States not do better to think tempt of the US-American and the Rus- Donald Trump, but meant something else: of their interests too and also to improve sian president, to talk to each other is con- the integration and instrumentalization of their relationship with Russia? •

Current Concerns ”The Raiffeisenbanks in Switzerland …” complex and above all undemocratic. The international journal for independent continued from page 1 As a member of the cooperative, I have thought, ethical standards, moral responsibility, never heard of these delegates at a gen- and for the promotion and respect propagated and reenforced, and how can eral meeting or in any other way, so I of public international law, human rights and humanitarian law the idea of “mutual self-assistance” be do not know them and therefore cannot filled with new content? Here are three vote them in or out. Publisher: Zeit-Fragen Cooperative considerations to this effect: 3. The 1.9 million members of the co- Editor: Erika Vögeli 1. The current structure of Raiffeisen is operative must take the development Address: Current Concerns, centralised. The 255 autonomous coop- of their Raiffeisenbank more strong- P.O. Box, CH-8044 Zurich erative banks are managed by St Gal- ly into their own hands again. First, Phone: +41 (0)44 350 65 50 len by means of a top-down strategy. they must call for the necessary trans- Fax: +41 (0)44 350 65 51 This does not correspond to the coop- parency within the framework of the E-Mail: [email protected] erative idea. The basis, i.e. the coopera- General Assembly, and then they must Subscription details: tive members of each Raiffeisen bank, assert more influence concerning the published regularly electronically as PDF file should decide by means of a decen- strategic management of the bank, so Annual subscription rate of SFr. 40,-, € 30,-, £ 25,-, $ 40,- tralised (federal) structure, how things that the actual cooperative idea can for the following countries: are going to be. The association must be reasserted; only then the coop- Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, serve the individual banks, and not vice erative idea can be spread and rein- Cyprus, , Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hongkong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, versa. That is how it was meant orig- forced, which would be a blessing for Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Nether- inally. The mergers of the Raiffeisen- the economy. lands, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, banks were and are also wrong, leading The Raiffeisen representatives are quite Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab ­Emirates, to ever larger entities and less and less willing to talk, as I was able to convince United Kingdom, USA say. myself personally. Now a broad discus- Annual subscription rate of SFr. 20,-, € 15,-, £ 12,50, $ 20,- 2. Raiffeisen Switzerland determines the sion is to be conducted with the rank and for all other countries. strategy of the banking group, which is file, i.e. the members of the cooperative, in Account: Postscheck-Konto: PC 87-644472-4 then approved by the delegates of the order to secure cooperative co- and self- The editors reserve the right to shorten letters to Raiffeisen banks. The delegates are or- determination and to secure them for the the editor. Letters to the editor do not necessarily st ganised in regional unions in the form 21 century. • reflect the views and opinions of Current Concerns. of 21 associations (!). This structure is (Translation Current Concerns) © 2018. All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 3

“The purpose of Raiffeisen is the common self-help” Felix Walker calls for the bank to return to its cooperative roots by Georg Koch

On 21 December 1899, the first Swiss Raiffeisenkasse (bank) was established “Raiffeisenkassen have developed rapidly in Switzerland in the denominationally neutral school building in the Swiss village Balterswil as in other countries. Agriculture and small and medium- by the circle of the Catholic men’s asso- ciation Bichelsee, the “Pius Association” sized businesses have benefited enormously from the Raif- around Father Johann Evangelist Traber, feisen movement, especially in rural areas. The coopera- which started operations in Bichelsee on 1 January 1900. The foundation should have tive idea that what is not possible for the individual can be a solid economic foundation and counter- act “harmful pleasure” and “vanity”. achieved by united forces has proven its worth all over the After some successful years of the world.” first Swiss Raiffeisenkasse, Father Traber wrote about the purpose of this non-prof- it cooperative bank: “Raiffeisen’s loan as- difficult, even impossible, to keep to the of the new association under the chair- sociations are an effective and infallible limit. It would easily lead to the introduc- manship of Father Traber. means to put the middle class back on its tion of dizzy papers, which could cause Raiffeisenkassen have developed rap- own feet vis-à-vis big business. They are unpredictable damage.” idly in Switzerland as in other countries. the seed of freedom and the flourishing of Contrary to what seems to be custom- Agriculture and small and medium-sized the middle class, one of the most beauti- ary in the umbrella organisation Raiffeis- businesses have benefited enormously ful and blessed inventions of our century.” en Switzerland today, according to Raif- from the Raiffeisen movement, especial- As in Germany, Austria and other coun- feisen the “Zentral-Darlehnskasse” should ly in rural areas. The cooperative idea that tries before, Raiffeisenkassen flourished in not pursue a quest for profit. It should only what is not possible for the individual can Switzerland, so that on the death of Traber serve to preserve the individual Raiffeis- be achieved by united forces has proven on 29 October 1930, there were already en cooperatives. “The ‘Zentral-Darlehn- its worth all over the world. The museum 516 Raiffeisenkassen with 45,278 mem- skasse’ is not a bank in the usual sense director at the Raiffeisen Museum in Raif- bers in Switzerland. While the first 40 co- of the word, but an equalisation body feisen’s birthplace in Hamm an der Sieg operative members of Bichelsee started between the participating associations. told us about a Japanese man who recent- with working capital of CHF 40,000, the For the associations which have surplus ly knelt down on the stairs to the birth- 516 cash registers of 1930 already had as- money, the latter serves as a place of stor- place and said: “This man has alleviated sets of CHF 133.6 million invested with age, for those which lack money, as an our misery in Japan.” them and had an annual turnover of CHF auxiliary source”. During the 2008 economic crisis, many 611 million. And that only one year after As early as 1901, Father Traber in people took their money out of the major the global economic crisis, which also Bichelsee also thought about the founda- commercial banks and brought it to Raif- shook Switzerland. tion of a Raiffeisen Association. It had to feisenbank. They trusted that the coop- Raiffeisen had already recognised the function as an auditing and central cash erative banks are not familiar with spec- need for a central association of Raif- register association. As an auditing asso- ulative transactions and that they are feisen banks in order to become as inde- ciation, it has the task of carrying out a regionally anchored. Raiffeisen had de- pendent as possible from external capital. periodic audit of the association’s cash manded as “the first and most impor- For this purpose, he founded the “Land- registers, “to protect them from abuse tant principle” that a cooperative district wirtschaftliche Zentral-Darlehnskasse” in and slackening, to ensure that efficient should be as small and demarcated as pos- Neuwied on 30 September 1876. In order Raiffeisen men are trained at all and to sible, i.e. “as a rule only extend to a civil to ensure that the members of the Super- effectively promote the spread of the or parish community with an average of visory Board of the Zentral-Darlehnskasse Raiffeisenkassen”. As the central fund as- 1,500 souls.” According to the reports in do not work selfishly but conscientiously sociation, he will establish a central fund, Insight Paradeplatz and the daily press, and in the public interest, Raiffeisen stat- in which the individual associations can bona fide members of the cooperative have ed: “They are almost exclusively heads participate; in order to serve small and now found that the frontline under Pierin of local associations, enjoy no advan- medium-sized businesses, this fund is to Vincenz in Raiffeisen Switzerland cooper- tages whatsoever from the latter or from provide for cash compensation among the ative association have moved enormous- the “Zentral-Darlehnskasse”, but are li- individual funds under favourable condi- ly away from Raiffeisen’s principles. Not able with all their assets and work free tions. After about two dozen Raiffeisen- only the hasty purchase of the investment of charge”. The agriculturally active, re- kassen had been founded in Switzerland, bank Notenstein for CHF 600 million, the gional population should benefit from the the founding meeting of the Association investment in the derivatives house Leon- business of the Raiffeisenkassen. Raiffeis- of Swiss Raiffeisenkassen took place on teq and the deal of the so-called invest- en rejected all speculative transactions or 25 September 1902 at the Hotel Linth- ment vehicle Investnet, which has since stock trading and usury as well as pleasure Escher in Zurich. Under the chairmanship been investigated by the public prosecu- and useless expenditures: “The rural pop- of Father Traber, 10 Raiffeisenkassen par- tor, break with Raiffeisen’s principles. The ulation does not want to know anything ticipated from the very beginning. It was general rise in wages at the head office in about securities, even if they are the safest decided that the Central Fund Association St Gallen of 50 per cent since 2000 and government bonds. [...] Once the invest- should be a cooperative in which the in- last year’s 43.5 per cent increase in wages ment of money in such papers had been dividual Raiffeisen funds should become introduced in the countryside, it would be members. Bichelsee became the first seat continued on page 4 No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 4

Don’t worry – be Wängi … It is rumbling in the Raiffeisen cooperatives. The General Assembly of the Raiffeisen-Cooperative Wängi-Matzingen rejected a merger with Münchwilen-Tobel gk. Wängi. After the headlines around the Raiffeisenbank, they fear that they The bank management and the pres- former Raiffeisen boss Pierin Vincenz, it will become an impersonal number for ident of the board of directors were is now rumbling at the base. It is very the management. They do not accept clearly surprised by the powerful No of rare that the Raiffeisen cooperative the dismantling of co-determination the members. Apparently, they and their members refuse to give their adminis- in a General Assembly if it only degen- advisors from Raiffeisen Switzerland be- trative council their allegiance. On 20 erates into a “social event” with a fine lieved in the wisdom of textbooks on April 2018, the co-owners of Raiffeisen- meal. Such a size and centralisation is the merger management of Raiffeis- bank Wängi-Matzingen clearly rejected not compatible with the views of Frie- en banks. There, the “exercise of own- the merger with Raiffeisenbank Münch- drich Wilhelm Raiffeisen. The control ership rights” is seen as the most irrel- wilen-Tobel at this year’s General As- of the board of directors and the bank evant “member-value-component” for sembly. Contrary to expectations, 598 management by the co-owners of the the members of the cooperative. Accord- of 799 cooperatives present rejected the bank could then even worse be ensured. ingly, the ownership rights are there- merger. In numerous statements from Further centralisation of Raiffeisenbank fore not important to the members of the general meeting, which lasted from would offer even more opportunities to the cooperative. In the opinion of such 7 to half past 11 pm, the speakers did direct the Raiffeisenbank top down. In managers, the only thing important to not allow themselves to be deluded by addition, the president had to confirm the members of the cooperative is the the well-sounding statements of the ad- that with a very good balance sheet of use of services such as free admissions ministrative council. From the position of 620 million CHF, a merger was not nec- to museums or a fine dinner, as well as strength, they wanted to shape the fu- essary for legal or financial reasons. It the interest on their shares. In the Raif- ture and develop the future Raiffeisen- was also reminded that the personal feisenbanks, for example, according to bank Münchwilen-Wängi a contempo- familiarity between the bank manage- the author Vanessa Arts, “customer in- rary bank and better advise customers ment and the members of the cooper- terests” dominate before “owner inter- for the cooperative members. ative as well as the regional roots and ests”. The General Assembly in Wängi However, the voters held against down-to-earthness in the economic cri- proved that this is a mistake. In addi- these promises that they consider their sis in 2008 caused many people to with- tion, the promise that no branches will Raiffeisenbank financially sound – also draw their money from the commercial be closed was questioned in the Wän- considering the current balance sheet banks and to move it to Raiffeisenbank. gener General Assembly. Quite rightly, – and that they are very satisfied with The machinations of former CEO Pierin when you consult Venessa Arts: “Branch the current advice. They recall that the Vincenz, which are deeply contradictory closures should therefore not be part of cooperative’s most important purpose to Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen’s ideas a merger, according to almost half of the is “joint self-help” and the “dissemina- of solidarity, led the cooperative mem- experts. They should be postponed on tion and deepening of the cooperative bers to repeatedly ask questions about the temporal level as long as possible.” ideas of Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen”. cooperative supervision over the Raif- The evening ended with the perfor- In his ideas nothing was mentioned like feisen Switzerland association. mances of an Appenzell musician, who hunting for record profits. “So we stick The massive refusal result was also trig- commented impressively spontaneous to our trade like the cobbler and keep gered by the fact that in the perfectly on the course of the General Assembly in our village bank in a manageable size.” developed merger planning hereafter, his unconventional songs. His last song They do not see any advantage in the not a proven and ethically convinced was “Don’t worry – be happy ...”. Even doubling of the number of coopera- “Raiffeisengenosse” should exercise better would have been: “Don’t worry tive members to 9600, but a reduction the presidency, but an unknown banker – be Wängi ...” of co-determination as co-owner of the with 20 years of professional experience bank. With the further centralisation of at the commercial bank UBS. (Translation Current Concerns)

”’The purpose of Raiffeisen …’” pose is joint self-help. This cooperative zerland. They burst the planned merg- continued from page 3 principle must serve the members and er of the two Thurgau Raiffeisen banks not the management bodies.” Raiffeisen Matzingen-Wängi and Münchwilen-To- of the Board of Directors of Raiffeisen must again distinguish itself more strong- bel. They did not want Raiffeisenbank to Switzerland are no longer understand- ly from profit-driven banks. Felix Walk- become an increasingly impersonal com- able both for the employees of the local er demands more power for the coopera- mercial bank, and again demanded more cooperatives and for the owners of Raif- tive. A return to the principles and values influence of the actual owners. In con- feisenbank, the members of the coopera- of Raiffeisen and Traber is due. trast to the advisors of Raiffeisen Swit- tive themselves. The cooperative members of Raif- zerland, they did not see any advantage In the NZZ am Sonntag, Felix Walk- feisenbank Wängi-Matzingen showed on in further centralisation through an even er, the predecessor of Pierin Vincenz, 20 April 2018 that this is possible. After a larger cooperative, but rather a loss of re- demands that confidence in the cooper- long and impressive debate at this year’s gional roots, personal proximity and co- ative bank Raiffeisenbank be restored, Annual General Meeting, 598 out of 777 determination. • which speaks from the heart of many co- cooperative members present refused to (Translation Current Concerns) operative members: “Raiffeisen’s pur- give in to pressure from Raiffeisen Swit- No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 5 What can Germany hope for? by Karl Müller

Klaus von Dohnanyi, a former SPD politi- biguous German constitutional clauses United States. The goal is to urge us to- cian, minister of state in the foreign min- and the legal situation “national solo ef- ward a certain kind of politics. The re- istry and mayor of the city of Hamburg, forts” are denounced as evil and a “legal sulting dissatisfaction in the population who turned 90 on 23 June begins his in- expert” seconds by stating that European about these politics [of the German Fed- teresting article “On the relationship be- law was breaking German constitutional eral Government] is channelled in order tween Europe and America” (“Frank- law because “Germany is member of the to mislead the people.” furter Allgemeine Zeitung” from 23 June European Union, so we are under Euro- 2018) with the appropriate statement “The pean law.” (“Hessische/Niedersächsische Do not mix things up world is in a state of social and political Allgemeine” from 27 June 2018) Europe- We have to keep this in mind. It would change […]”, observing at the end of the an law had “primacy of application”. The also be a big mistake to assume, that all first paragraph: “Europe and the United “legal expert” is member of the Europa- their supporters and members subscribe States […] have embarked on a dramat- Union Germany. to possible underlying premises of vari- ic collision course with a yet to be deter- This explains his wilful interpretation ous parties and other political movements. mined ending.” of the European Treaties and the role of Many people, in all (!) parties, have hon- Klaus von Dohnanyi ascribes this “col- national constitutional law. But in cer- est intentions. They come from various lision course” not only to the current US tain circles the European Treaties are political backgrounds and may have dif- government. He also sees underlying rea- frequently cited and show, that the end fering approaches and priorities, but much sons. His analysis includes nearly the of nation-state sovereignty is a foregone of what the people think is worthy of dis- complete 20th century and also considers conclusion. Since the days of Jean Mon- cussing and should be examined in dialog. the “theories” of Mackinder and Brzezin- net an inadmissible claim to power on Most people are not characterized by an ski, upon which the US political system is the part of supranational institutions sub- excessive thirst for power; instead they based. He even states: “Competition and scribes to the principle that crises are best share the wish to find solutions for the ex- economic interest also were, as was exten- to push forward the “European integra- isting political issues based on the com- sively proven especially by Anglo-Saxon tion”. It is worthwhile to read the many mon good. historians, the true reason for the entry of commentaries from politicians and media Great Britain and the United States into from this point of view. And certainly, it Various political forces World War I.” is permitted to carry out show fights – the with honest intentions It is easy to agree with Klaus von current fight CDU vs. CSU might be an In his three-volume standard reference on Dohnanyi on many points. example. German history between 1800 and 1918 the German historian Thomas Nipperdey Why not gain back What should we think discusses the main political groups which democratic control? of “nationalist forces”? had formed after the failed revolution of But then there is an interesting statement On the other hand, it is not guaranteed 1848/49 in what was then the Deutscher which the combined points give food for that a further “European integration” Bund: the liberals, the conservatives and thought: “Increasingly, globalisation gives will prevail. Indeed, in nearly all EU Catholics and finally the labour move- people […] the feeling that they are not states there are political forces claim- ment and the workers’ parties. According in control of their own house; they want ing to be more “nationally oriented” to Nipperdey all three movements repre- to gain back their democratic control and who are gaining political weight. But sented valid issues and thus are appreciat- this brings about nationalist reactions.” what does this “other side” look like? Do ed in his standard work. “Nationalist reactions” is something the “nationally” oriented political forc- The question of law and freedom, the that Klaus von Dohnanyi detests. Instead es in Germany (and in other EU states) social question and the question of what he promotes a strengthened “Europe” – really present an alternative? There are needs to be preserved and which are what he has in mind is a EU under Ger- many doubts here, too. In his latest book timeless values are all still current top- man-French leadership. While he men- “Deutschland im Umbruch” (Germany in ics. Also, the valid concern to protect tions de Gaulle and Adenauer as paragons, Transition) Willy Wimmer mentions the the natural environment finds sufficient he is aware that today Macron and Mer- influence of foreign secret services on space among these fundamental political kel represent their countries. There is no various “national” forces: “Some months tendencies. The many people concerned question of who should be “in control of ago in the ZIB-2 news of the Austrian about the common good are a hope- the house” and what could be the style of TV, a senior official in the Austrian intel- ful sign for Germany. They are charac- “democratic control”. So what does Klaus ligence service pointed out to which ex- terized by demonstrated solidarity and von Dohnanyi think of the wish of peo- tent groups with strange agenda that have readiness to engage in dialog, focussed ple to be “in control of their house” and appeared in the past years in Europe are on the issue at hand. Currently these peo- to “gain back democratic control” if he being controlled from the United States. ple are not yet a political force; they are speaks of “nationalist reactions” immedi- This includes those, who see our country still deterred by the everyday infighting ately after? as a company or others, as might be sus- on the political stage. This force could be pected, who are vehemently promoting a developed much stronger in a future di- Who is fighting ‘peace treaty’. […] Who […] is possibly rect democracy than in the current fight the sovereign nation state? supporting these newly founded parties, for power and influence. Willy Wimmer That this is not a subtlety is demonstrat- that give people a political home? […] I concludes his book with the statement: ed by a view on the current German de- am afraid […] that the president of the “Switzerland is demonstrating what it bate about how to deal with migrants Austrian intelligence service is right in means to live democracy as responsible who have previously been registered in what he indicated at ZIB-2: Such propos- citizens.” Working towards this goal in other European states. In spite of unam- als originate from certain groups in the Germany can give people hope. • No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 6 Europeans should not follow the American sanctions against Iran! by Roland Hureaux, essayist, France

It is in the in- have tended to push it back, but it re- inant Western thought. From their point of terest of France mains one of the legitimate means of sov- view, this is a serious mistake, a question- to put the Irani- ereignty available to a state to protect its ing of the world order. On the other hand, an issue at the economy. In this case, Trump’s motives the measures against Iran imposed by the centre of the de- are honourable: to get American workers US on Europeans against their will only bate, even if this back to work, to improve the trade bal- affect their sovereignty; they are also em- means a more ance, to maintain strategic sectors (which bedded in a Middle East conflict, which flexible handling we, on the other hand, give up). The ef- many, even on this side of the Atlantic, see of Trump’s pro- fects of free trade are questionable: fewer as a fight of good against evil, a certain tectionist meas- and fewer experts see it as the panacea for universalism against Iranian particular- ures. growth. ism. Stunned by overcoming the national, Roland Hureaux The consequences of the withdrawal European or global framework, they con- (picture ma) Europe is out- from the Iranian nuclear agreement by the sider as serious what it is not at all, and raged by the United States are far less lawful: this is a as normal, what they should have to out- protectionist measures, which President unilateral decision imposed on the part- rage most. Trump has just taken and by the threats ners, which is a serious violation of inter- The sanctions against Iran seriously he has made against Iran since his with- national law. As we have seen in the case damage economic interests: the American drawal from the agreement, and this is of Alstom, the extraterritoriality of Amer- threats lead to the suspension of Peugeot justified. ican justice poses a serious threat to the and Renault projects, the cancellation of However, it may not be the right terrain sovereignty of other states and to their Airbus orders, the withdrawal of Total and for a confrontation. economic interests: this strategically im- Engie and, consequently, to a serious dam- It is obvious that Washington’s pro- portant company could only be brought age of the French economy. The German tectionist measures, particularly with re- under American control because an Amer- economy is also affected by Siemens and gard to steel and aluminium, are causing ican court imposed a heavy fine on an its banks, but perhaps less than the French a much more violent storm of indigna- issue that did not take place on American economy. By contrast, the German econo- tion than the dictate imposed on Europe- soil my has been affected more intensively by an companies, under threat of punishment A clear and decisive response to these American protectionism. However, this of severe reprisals, to stop all trading with practices seems to us to be more urgent asymmetry does not explain the European Iran. than the clamour relating steel and alu- reaction adequately. Nevertheless, it is in The latter, however, seems much more minium. the interest of France to reverse the pros- scandalous to us and, in our view, should Unfortunately, the European countries, pects in order to place the Iranian issue at be most outrageous to European opinion. which are trapped in the globalist ideolo- the heart of the debate, even if this means There is nothing wrong with the Unit- gy, have brought about a real reversal of a more flexible handling of Trump’s pro- ed States wanting to practise a certain de- values. Trump’s protectionist measures tectionist measures. gree of protectionism: Of course, since hit hard the ideal of universal free trade, 1945, the GATT agreements (now WTO) which has long been at the centre of dom- (Translation Current Concerns)

North Korea and the USA: finally a to-get-together approach In our daily newspaper of 13 June, North In our world, where nuclear weap- Of course this is a start. The process of Korean President Kim Jong Un and the ons, which have only existed for about 70 détente does not go by the “rough-and- President of the United States of Ameri- years in human history and are capable of ready” approach, but can only be promot- ca Donald Trump commented the meeting destroying humanity many times over, this ed progressively on both sides in the effort with the words “little substance”, or, as the first step towards denuclearization in this to do what is good for peace. editorial section of the headline says, “Pure region is a very valuable contribution to It would be nice if the example of Declaration of Intent.” It seems to me to the human family. Korea would also set an example in deal- be totally inappropriate to play down this Although a schedule with details is ing with our European neighbor Russia, encounter as not so important. Rather, this still lacking and people talk about a lack namely ending the NATO maneuvers at meeting is of a very high quality, consider- of substance and a mere declaration of in- its border, lifting the sanctions and finally ing that after decades of hostility, recently tent, the importance of this meeting, con- burying the bogeyman’s image. accompanied by the most massive threats, sidering the total tense world situation, a get-together finally took place. can be judged as a very positive signal. Werner Voss, Wiehl (D) No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 7 Angela Merkel definitely rejects Emmanuel Macron’s United States of Europe by Alain Morau*

In his harangue at the Sorbonne on 26 Sep- a state getting into financial difficulty, Therefore, Mrs Merkel points to this tember 2017 – two days after the parlia- but maintaining the principles of full unique position and indirectly asks the mentary elections for the German “Bun- repayment of credits and of control by Elysée a question: are you ready to ques- destag” – Emmanuel Macron presented national parliaments (hence veto op- tion your fundamental interests, as you his own project of a federal and sovereign tion). This “EMF” would be one of the ask us to touch ours? It will be interesting Europe. A project that the French people pillars of the Eurozone, independent to see if the Elysée answers this question were made aware of at the same time as of the European Commission, whose in the near future. the Germans. Because Macron believes power would thus be rivalled. It would Angela Merkel’s answer is therefore that the integration of France in a feder- also have the necessary tools to involve strategically very mature. She sticks to her al Europe is a project that he can oper- private creditors. own fundamental interests (German mon- ate alone, without first asking the French – Establishment of a banking union, but etary and economic policy), shows herself whether they agree. without joint investment insurance (as flexible when moving on secure ground In previous articles1, we tracked step by opposed to what France wanted). (migration policy, blocked by the east- step how German policy responded to this – Establishment of financial transfer ern countries) but subtly offensive when it project … in fact it hardly did so at all! funds to improve the competitiveness comes to the fundamental interests of the The government of the new “GroKo” of the states. However, the amounts other party (defense policy and diplomacy (“Grand Coalition”) finally took office on provided are to be rather insignificant. for France). This sober and discreet reac- 14 March, but the silence has continued in These proposals by no means correspond tion, which contrasts with Macron’s lyrical Berlin since then and, as seen from Paris, to the core of the objectives pursued by flights and illuminated visions in his Sor- this weighs rather heavily. The French Min- Emmanuel Macron. The Elysée mentions bonne speech, therefore means a decided ister for Economic and Financial Affairs only a “rapprochement” of the German rejection. Bruno Lemaire emphasised, in the newspa- proposals. So, in reality, the German po- So beyond the Rhine, the rejection of an per “Die Welt” of 2 June, that France was sition has hardly changed since 2012. upgrading of the EU is finding clear expres- expecting an answer from Berlin. The second major topic is the migration sion. In view of the new economic situation The minister might have forborne this policy. It seems that the proposals of Ber- due to US protectionism, the discrepancies explanation. It indicates a certain concern lin and Paris are closer here: the creation between the national interests of France in the Elysée, combined with feelings of of a true European border police and of a and Germany will increase and the gap will irritation. As early as the following day, common migration policy which requires also widen. In fact, Emmanuel Macron is Angela Merkel responded with an inter- the introduction of the principle that the completely isolated within the EU. view in the Sunday edition of the “Frank- European countries must accept quotas The meeting between Angela Mer- furter Allgemeine Zeitung” (FAZ). for immigrants. However, these proposals kel and Emmanuel Macron, which took The decision to publish a press inter- are so far removed from reality that the place on 19 June 2018 in Germany, has view is by no means negligible. Angela countries of Central and Eastern Europe not changed anything. Mrs Merkel did say Merkel could have made a solemn speech are reacting very sharply to them. The she was in favour of “setting up a com- like the one Emmanuel Macron gave at the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” comes to the con- mon budget for the euro area so as to bet- Sorbonne or a statement on government clusion that “one runs no great risk when ter protect it from crises”. But apart from policy in the “Bundestag”, or given a tel- making such proposals”, and thus imputes the fact that eight states of the European evision interview in front of millions of a double game to Mrs Merkel. Union have already announced their veto, viewers. The decision to turn to the Sun- Other important topics are the defense Emmanuel Macron has explained that this day readers of the financial center’s news- and foreign policies. On the one hand, the budget could be “implemented in 2021”, paper (circulation on Sunday: 250’ 000 Chancellor is moving in Macron’s direc- so ... in three years’ time! This means copies) avoids causing a great sensation tion when she defends the idea of a Eu- that it is a nebulous project, because no- while preserving all forms of decency. ropean reaction force. On the other hand, body knows whether the euro zone will The financial and economic issue is the she comes up with a surprising and com- still exist in three years’ time. In addi- biggest challenge for Germany. Emma- pletely new idea: the creation of a “Euro- tion, many political analysts are consider- nuel Macron called for the creation of a pean Security Council” and the division ing that within two weeks, Merkel will not common economic and financial area with of non-permanent seats in the UN Secu- be Chancellor, if her CDU-CSU govern- a European Finance Minister disposing of rity Council among the European states. ment agreement breaks up due to the “im- an independent budget and with the prin- France, which has a permanent seat on migrant” question. • ciple of financial transfers in the euro area. the Security Council, would not be affect- Angela Merkel, for her part, stands by ed. But this proposal, the only new one in 1 www.upr.fr/actualite/france/allemagne-in- the position of former Finance Minister the whole interview, puts Emmanuel Ma- stabilite-politique-fuite-socialiste-martin- Schäuble, following the spirit of 154 eco- cron in a delicate position. The “Frank- schulz-sort-dun-chapeau-project-detats-unis- deurope-2025 of 15 December 2017 and www. nomics professors’ recent appeal: furter Allgemeine Zeitung” describes ex- upr.fr / actualite / france / allemagne-derriere- – Conversion of the ESM into a “Europe- actly the strings attached for him. Every les-apparences-le-nouveau- gouvernement-is- an Monetary Fund” (EMF), with more country has a core of national interests to su-de-la-groko-dit-non-a-leurope-de-macron of scope for intervention in the event of defend: financial and economic policy for 14 March 2018 Germany, military and foreign policy for Source: www.upr.fr/actualite/france/angela-mer- France. In fact, after Brexit, France will be kel-rejette-definitivement-les-etats-unis-deurope- * Alain Morau is a French doctoral student in Ag- the only EU country with a permanent seat demmanuel-macron-par-alain-morau of 19 June ricultural Sciences, residing in Germany, since 2018 May 2014 a member of the French UPR (Union at the United Nations (and is, moreover, a populaire républicaine). nuclear power). (Translation Current Concerns) No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 8 The front against Russia is caving in by Professor Dr Eberhard Hamer

So far the US, – to enforcing their oil world power are suddenly calling for better relations with its satellites plans, with Russia, because loyalty to the US is and the interna- – to preserving their dollar empire (de- no longer worthwhile, and business with tional agencies spite Russia, China, Iran dropping the America is being destroyed by the US. it controls, has dollar), Only two days before the G-7 confer- been engaged in – to spreading American power to the ence in Canada, Merkel had wanted to in- indirect warfare East (Ukraine, Baltic States, Poland), gratiate herself with the president by vig- against Russia at – to the military conquest of the Black orous Russia-baiting. She was, however, all levels: Sea (This is now obstructed by the an- given a dressing-down at the conference, – By m e a n s nexation of the Crimea by the Russian as were her colleagues, and cooperation of financial Federation), with Russia was ordered as a new direc- Eberhard Hamer sanctions, the – or to the conquest of Syria (because of tion. (picture ma) world’s banks the oil passthrough). Apparently, Merkel-Maas have once were forced to So the American struggle against Russia again backed the wrong horse: the all-en- stop conducting financial business with always took on new forms. With the help compassing US surveillance of Germany Russia. of NATO, Russia was surrounded by US and its economy, which Merkel accepted, – Through trade sanctions, all compa- rocket stations, which moved closer and is suddenly seen as a national danger; the nies in the Western world were or- closer to the Russian border. The Clin- sellout of German technology to China dered, under penalty of punishment, to ton clique even claimed that their surprise can no longer be justified by globalisa- stop doing business with certain Rus- election defeat was owed to Russia only, tion; the growing criminality of Merkel’s sian companies and persons. and has since been agitating in the US guests shows the downside of migration; – Even the companies involved in North against any contact with Russia – includ- the German economy is being harmed by Stream 2 were threatened with special ing contact by their own president. Merkel’s Russia sanctions; and the Amer- fines. In the US-dominated international or- ican sanctions against us are becoming an – Every quarter of a year, another field in ganisations, care was taken to ensure that existential problem for our industry. which the Russians have allegedly vio- only enemies of Russia were promoted Whether Merkel wants it or not, the de- lated human rights (Scripal) or sports into leadership positions, while friends of mands to strive for a peaceful and harmo- laws (doping allegations), or destroyed Russia were excluded. nious relationship with Russia are being people (plane crash Ukraine) or were il- And those who scolded Russia most enforced by American behaviour. legally at war (Eastern Ukraine), came and loudest (Merkel, Maas, von der Merkel has too often taken the wrong to the American mind. This has caused Leyen), could so far expect a preferential direction in the past three years, causing an intensifying media agitation against treatment by American presidents (for ex- permanent damage to our people. She be- Russia in the whole world in recent ample, by Obama). lieved that she had to do so as the follow- years. The American sanctions against their er, or at the behest of, the American oc- – In addition, the US has brought anti- “allies” – or satellite states, the fines cupying power. But now the orders are Russian agitators into decisive positions. against our banks and industry as well different, she has uselessly sacrificed the These have gotten their organisations as the endangerment of world peace by interests of her country. (for example, Stoltenberg the NATO) the United States terminating the treaty To reconcile itself with Russia has in a fighting mood against Russia. Or with Iran, the trade contracts, the envi- been the truly politically reasonable way there are the two Russia haters Merkel/ ronmental protection, have now baffled for the US for a long time, and this will Maas campaining in Europe for mili- even the most loyal US courtiers such as drive the anti-Russia fighters into a crisis tary buildup against Russia (Euro sanc- Merkel, Juncker, Macron and May. Sud- and overturn the sanctions. Nato-Stolten- tions, 6 billion to build roads for deploy- denly, no longer all good things come berg will retire soon; Juncker was the ment against Russia, military buildup from the US, and no longer all US com- first to change his strategy; the new gov- of Ukraine and the Baltic States against mands are good, but it is becoming ap- ernments in Spain and Italy are no longer Russia) or propaganda offensives with parent that they harm their own peoples. taking part in the boycott, the American fake charges against Russia. The new president no longer takes ac- President is setting a different politi- Up to now, Russia-haters could always be count of the interests and the humility of cal agenda, which Merkel can no long- sure that, in the pursuit of their policy of his followers, but upholds his American er credibly turn to at such short notice. conflict and hate, they were acting in the advantage instead. The phalanx of the Since the G-7 conference, the Merkel star American interest and with backing from US and its satellites is suddenly starting is fading. • there. For the Americans, Russia was the to waver. The first warners amongst the decisive obstacle satellite states (Hungary, Italy, or Spain) (Translation Current Concerns) No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 9

“Working for human rights takes patience, perseverance and passion” Interview with Professor Dr iur. et phil. Alfred de Zayas

Current Concerns: Professor de Zayas, which was nothing less than an economic and not to help people gain their rights. your mandate as the UN Independent Ex- war force the country to its knees. In addition, the biggest crimes since 1945 pert on the Promotion of a Democratic That is what the United Nations Secu- have been committed by the big states. and Equitable International Order (ap- rity Council did, undoubtedly in violation The corruption of institutions and con- pointed by the United Nations Human of Article 24 of the UN Charter. It is be- cepts continues. Rights Council) ended recently. In your cause the Security Council is not above final report to the Human Rights Coun- the law that it too must comply with the What crimes are you thinking of? cil, you formulated 23 principles concern- UN Charter, must also comply with the Perhaps the biggest violations of inter- ing the world order (see box on p. 15). principles of human rights and human national law since the Nuremberg trials In those, you addressed issues such as dignity. It is an aberration when its ac- were the aggression against Yugoslavia in peace, multilateralism, sovereign equal- tions lead to one million deaths. Those 1999 and later, above all, the aggression ity between states and the right of people sanctions should therefore have been lift- against Iraq in 2003. What is particular- to self-determination. What is most im- ed very quickly when it became clear that ly disastrous – I would almost describe it portant to you? they lead to death. In other words: one as a primordial disaster – is that the Unit- Professor de Zayas: If these 23 princi- must recognise that economic sanctions ed States did not carry out the aggression ples are respected, we can hope for a sus- kill. Sanctions can only be imposed – for here alone, but that 43 states, the so-called tainable world order that guarantees de- example in times of war in the form of “coalition of the willing”, joined in. Im- velopment for all countries and above all embargos on the sale of weapons – so that agine what that actually means! We have freedom in the sphere of the individual, the belligerent parties start talking and here a revolt against international law, a freedom also in trade – without unilateral stop shooting at each other. Sanctions can deliberate rejection of the UN Charter sanctions, because unilateral sanctions are be imposed prohibiting the purchase and and its philosophy! And led by the states against the spirit and letter of the UN Char- sale of weapons, aircraft, warships, etc. that should have protected international ter, they are contrary to international law. That would be a legitimate form of sanc- law, that should have guaranteed it. These The only sanctions that technically could tions. But not economic sanctions, which states have consciously – with open eyes – be considered legal are those imposed by directly result in a lack of food, medi- broken international law. It was a pogrom the Security Council, but these too can lead cines, medical equipment, etc., which against law and justice. And no one has to enormous human rights violations. clearly and necessarily lead to death. been held accountable! Such sanctions are to be recognised as The Security Council is crimes against humanity and prosecuted Credibility of the ICC badly damaged not above international law by the Criminal Court in The Hague. In such cases the International Criminal The Security Council is not above inter- Court should actually take action... UN Charter – national law either. It must comply with What is the International Criminal Court Constitution of the World Article 24(2) of the UN Charter, which doing? What does this International Crim- stipulates that “In discharging these duties You mentioned the UN Charter. What sig- inal Court in The Hague do with the high- the Security Council shall act in accord- nificance do you give to the UN Charter ly paid judges when they only charge Af- ance with the Purposes and Principles of in today’s world? ricans, namely relatively minor criminals the United Nations”. In other words, the According to doctrine, the UN Charter – compared to the big criminals George Council is not legibus solutus (freed from represents the con stitution of the world. Walker Bush, Donald Rumsfeld, Tony the application of the law), but has a spe- That is, the world order, which the states Blair, José Maria Aznar, Silvio Berlusco- cific, limited mandate and must not act themselves determined in 1945. Arti- ni! We must not forget that millions of against peace or human rights, and if it cle 103 of the UN Charter states that the people took to the streets in Milan, Na- does so, it is acting ultra vires or against Charter prevails any other treaty. This ples and Rome in 2003. And Silvio Ber- the UN Constitution. means that if a treaty is not in accordance lusconi disregarded the wishes of his own with the UN Charter, then that treaty must people, his own democracy and brought be amended or it is null and void. The his country into a war of aggression. The Can you be more specific? problem is: the doctrine on the one hand, same with José Maria Aznar in Spain: Look at the sanctions against Iraq 1991 – the reality on the other. Reality doesn’t Millions of people took to the streets in 2003. As early as 1995, Unicef estimated match the doctrine. We live in a world Barcelona, Madrid and Seville to demon- that 500,000 children had lost their lives of hegemons, in a world where the great strate against the war. Nevertheless, José as a direct result of these sanctions. At powers can afford to do anything, where Maria Aznar brings his country to war. the end of the 2003 sanctions, over one they act against the UN Charter with total This means that the credibility of the sys- million Iraqis were dead because of the impunity, and that will not change in the tem has not only been undermined, it has sanctions. And that is why the UN Assis- near future. What worries me most is the been eliminated. What is the significance tant Secretary Generals, the Humanitar- corruption of the system, in particular the of an International Criminal Court that ian Coordinators for Iraq, Denis Halliday corruption of the Human Rights Council, does not bring these biggest criminals to and Hans-Christof Graf von Sponeck, re- the Office of the High Commissioner for justice, but only the small-time villains of signed in protest. Halliday said clearly, Human Rights, the High Commissioner the world? For me, the crisis we are going “It’s a form of genocide.” Hans-Christ- for Refugees, the International Criminal through today is a crisis of the ontology of of von Sponeck published a book on the Court, because human rights have been law, of the nature of law: law is degraded subject entitled: “A Different Kind of “weaponised” or converted into weapons, into a kind of code that applies only to the War: The UN Sanctions Regime in Iraq”, weapons used only to eliminate opponents continued on page 10 No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 10

”’Working for human rights …’” continued from page 9 Alfred-Mau- has been co-author and co-editor rice de Zayas of numerous other books, includ- losers of a war and only to ousted politi- (United Sta- ing “International Human Rights tes, since 2017 Monitoring Mechanisms” (together cians. It is a code against the weak, but not Swiss citizen) with Gudmundur Alfredsson and a code for all – such a pseudo-code helps studied his- Bertrand Ramcharan). His scholarly nobody. We don’t need any of that. tory and law articles in the Max Planck Encyclo- at Harvard, pedia of Public International Law, Crisis of disinformation of the people where he Oxford Encyclopedia of Human obtained his Rights and Macmillan Encyclopedia How could credibility be regained? J.D. He prac- of Genocide, encompass the prohi- If intellectuals in America, England, ticed corpo- bition of aggression, universal juris- France, Spain, Germany and Switzer- rate law with a New York law firm. diction, the right to the homeland, land would get together and demand He obtained a doctorate in history mass population transfers, minor- it. If the media … but the media have for the University of Göttingen in ity rights, refugee law, repatriation, been corrupted as well. It’s easy to talk Germany. legal aspects of the Spanish Civil about a mendacious press. But it’s not Alfred de Zayas has been visit- War, indefinite detention, Guantan- just the lies, the media actively support ing professor of law at numerous amo and the right to peace. and whitewash the crimes of the strong. universities including the Univer- Alfred de Zayas was appointed by When I look at the reports in the “New sity of British Columbia in Canada, the UN Human Rights Council as the the Graduate Institute of the Univer- first Independent Expert on the Pro- York Times” or the “Washington Post” sity of Geneva, the DePaul University motion of a Democratic and Equita- in 2003 on Iraq or on “El País” or “El Law School (Chicago), the Human ble International Order with effect Mundo” or “ABC” in Spain on Catalonia, Rights Institute at the Irish National from May 2012. After six years of when the government, with brute police University (Galway)and the Univer- service, his mandate ended in May force, tried to illegally prevent the refer- sity of Trier (Germany). At present this year. endum on self-determination of 1 Octo- he teaches international law at the He is fluent in six languages and ber 2017. The media are complicit in the Geneva School of Diplomacy. has published a book of Rilke trans- crimes. They have a sophisticated system In 2009 de Zayas was a member lations with commentary (“Lar- of disinformation, which is not only lying of the UN workshop that drafted enopfer”, Red Hen Press 2008) and – and a lot of lying! But even more: They a report on the human right to is completing the translation of Her- peace, which was subsequently dis- mann Hesse’s “Das Lied des Lebens”. leave out what is important, what is cru- cussed and further elaborated by From 2002-2006 he was Secre- cial information. The press does not in- the Advisory Committee of the tary-General, from 2006-2010 Pres- form, the press indoctrinates in the sense Human Rights Council. He is also a ident of PEN International, Centre of the powerful, the owners of the press, signatory of the Declaración de Bil- Suisse romand. He was member of the conglomerates, be it Murdoch or be bao and Declaración de Santiago several advisory boards, including of it someone else. This is manipulation de Compostela on the Human Right the International Society of Human in order to prevent the democratic exer- to Peace. He served as a consultant Rights (Frankfurt a.M.), Zentrum cise of the right to information. One is to the Office of the High Commis- gegen Vertreibungen (Berlin), the forced to go to alternative media to in- sioner for Human Rights on the issue International Human Rights Associ- form oneself. Every day, in the morning of mercenaries. ation of American Minorities (Can- De Zayas is an expert for civil and ada) and of the Conseil Scientifique – besides BBC and CNN – I read “The political rights and has published of the Académie International de Guardian”, RT, CCTV, al-Jazera, Telesur nine books on a variety of legal and droit constitutionnel (Tunis). He on the Internet to get a spectrum of in- historical issues, including “United has received several awards, most formation and then form my own synthe- Nations Human Rights Committee recently the “Educators Award 2011” sis. But how many are able to do that? Case Law” (together with Jakob of Canadians for Genocide Educa- How many have the time to deal with six, Th. Möller, N.P. Engel 2009), and tion. seven, eight different sources? This is a crisis of the 21st century, a crisis of infor- mation – the disinformation of the peo- When more and more cause I do not think they have any. They ple. To get out of this situation … one people realise the manipulation ... do what they’re told to do. And if they do would think that if intellectuals joined something else, they lose their jobs. There forces and demanded it, it should be pos- In this respect, I see hope at best in the are enough examples of journalists who sible. But how often has Noam Chom- opening that we have at our disposal have lost their jobs in America, in Eng- sky gathered a number of luminaries and through the Internet, that gradually, more land, in France, in Germany. How many published Open Letters in the New York and more people understand that they are political commentators in Germany have Times and the Washington Post. And being lied to, understand that their govern- lost their jobs as well! what effect have these letters had? Hard- ments do not think or act democratically, So, if more and more people under- ly any. As the deep state, the real power, that they understand that the press is lying stand how they have been manipulated takes it for granted that it can afford to and is publishing an unilateral selection and how the press continues to be manip- ignore these voices of alternative think- of facts. With some difficulty you can ar- ulative, then they will have no choice but ing people like Noam Chomsky, Fran- rive at a level of awareness and skepticism to obtain the information for themselves cis Boyle, Norman Finkelstein. They can that you can no longer be influenced by as autodidacts. And then there are alter- speak as much as they want because we the “New York Times” or the “Washing- native groups, in France, in the Nether- know that the masses have been so indoc- ton Post” or the BBC or Deutsche Welle. I lands, in Germany, which offer something trinated that they will not be torn out of myself am no longer manipulated. When I different, and gradually they are getting their comfort. Therefore, Noam Chom- take the “New York Times” in my hands, more popular. Of course they’re demon- sky poses no real danger to the powers I always have a question mark after every ised. A few weeks ago, when the elections that rule us. The idea that the truth shall article: It may be true or perhaps not. I do make us free is nice – but inoperative. not rely on the ethics of journalists, be- continued on page 11 No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 11

”’Working for human rights …’” law. What do you as an expert think about the Office of the High Commissioner that continued from page 10 this time in retrospect? – before a report is published – the state in I wouldn’t change anything in my 14 re- question has the opportunity to read it be- in Italy were successful with a coalition ports. I only deplore the fact that the sys- forehand, and it even has the right to for- of alternative parties, they could not form tem has been set up in such a way that mulate its own comments. a government because the President of we rapporteurs are, to a certain extent, Italy simply pushed the will of the people an assembly of Cassandras. We are al- UN General Assembly establishes the aside in a highly undemocratic way and lowed to point out problems, but no one High Commissioner for Human Rights said that he would appoint someone else thinks of putting our recommendations Since when has there been a High Com- as Prime Minister. It’s an unprecedent- into practice. There is absolutely no sys- missioner for Human Rights? ed scandal! And what does the European tem of implementation (follow up) of our I was present at the World Conference Union, which is committed to democra- concrete and pragmatic proposals. We’re on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993. At cy under the Lisbon Treaty, say? Oetting- an alibi, after all. We are the fig leaf not this conference, specifically in part 2, er says this will teach Italians not to vote only for the United Nations, but we are paragraph 18 of the Declaration and for populists. It is such a scandal that an the fig leaf for the establishment, for the Programme of Action the proposal was EU Commissioner can speak so brazen- existing conditions. Our function is basi- made to establish the institution of the ly and directly against democracy! And cally not to change conditions, but quite High Commissioner for Human Rights. that he was not immediately asked by the the opposite, to leave them as they are, to When we wrote this rather old concept of press, in particular the “Frankfurter Allge- defend the status quo. Because there are a High Commissioner for Human Rights meine Zeitung”, the “Süddeutsche Zei- so many powerful forces who want this into the declaration, we had no idea that tung”, the Zeit to resign from office. That status quo. They want to cement injus- the General Assembly would take us se- would be the ethical, the just, the “hon- tice. They want a system that grants priv- riously and create this institution in their ourable” thing to do. But we don’t live in ileges and defends privileges. As soon as 48th session period! This was done by a normal world. you have a rapporteur like myself who resolution 48/141 on 20 December 1993. relentlessly points out the problems and That way the first High ­Commissioner for “I would change makes concrete proposals for correction, Human Rights, Jose Ayala-Lasso from nothing in my reports” he will be insulted ad hominem. I may Ecuador came to us. I had the honour to You have held a very important man- have had the unique honour of upsetting work closely with him and I wrote sever- date as Special Rapporteur, and that is so many people in influential places that al of his speeches. We had a very positive not the only part of all your work in the I was called a Communist, Marxist, Tsa- co operation. He was very much focussed Human Rights Council. It is precisely rist, Castrist, but also Fascist, Nazi, Neo- on achievable results and never tried to with this mandate that you have repeated- Nazi, Protonazi – I have experienced the demonise countries or people. He did not ly advocated more democracy worldwide whole spectrum of ad hominem attacks belong to these phony human rights “ex- and a better anchoring of it in the world in the last six years. Because they just perts” and rapporteurs who keep mak- order. You have written a total of 14 de- don’t want to deal with the issues. They ing grandiose speeches, he was no show tailed and excellent reports. We have pub- know: If they get involved in a debate, man and had no interest in pleasing the lished much out of these in Current Con- they will lose because they do not have press. He wanted results. He was a calm cerns over the years we know each other. the arguments. All my reports are quasi diplomat who tried to negotiate with the A wide range of articles on international mathematical, they have an inner logic, states in order to get things done through from A to B to C to D, without jumps. his good offices without necessarily em- I don’t impose anything on my reader. I barrassing the state or certain heads of What is the function want to give my reader the facts and co- state. Nowadays High Commissioners of a rapporteur? herent arguments. Then I let the reader’s like grandstanding and condemning, as natural intelligence become active so that if this was demonstrating their authority. “He is a professional who must remain he can convince himself. It is not my job impartial, evaluate independently and to convince someone, I am not a prophet promote human rights through media- continued on page 12 tion, negotiation and constructive rec- and I do not want to be one either. I am a ommendations. Above all, a rapporteur professional, an independent expert who must be an ‘honest broker’, a mediator sets out the facts, and then I say that if What is a democratic and you apply a coherent logic, you will come who proposes solutions. But the media equitable international order? and sometimes even the Council ex- to those conclusions yourself, but you can pect us to play an antagonistic, militant also come to other conclusions. It’s just “The international order is the order role. More importantly, sometimes we a vision that I would like to facilitate if of multilateralism. The world constitu- are expected to condemn some states people want it. tion is the United Nations Charter and but remain silent about others. There the priorities are peace, development is palpable pressure – from the ‘zeit- “Everything is documented” and human rights. I insist on the spir- geist’, the media, the lobbies, but also ituality of the Universal Declaration of from non-governmental organisations. You documented all this in your reports… Human Rights – adopted 70 years ago – However, we have a code of conduct Yes, for example the report on Venezue- and human dignity. A democratic order and we must act independently of any la. I submitted a report with 189 footnotes implies a connection between the will pressure or intimidation. and ten annexes. What does that mean? of the people and politics. Therefore, a Unfortunately, there is a vast This means that those who are not con- direct or semi-direct democracy like in ‘human rights industry’ and some rap- vinced by the main text can look at the Switzerland is the most authentic one. porteurs who do not always act inde- 189 footnotes and annexes. I don’t invent An equitable order includes an equita- pendently – they follow the fashion. my arguments. Everything is documented. ble distribution of the world heritage In civil society organisations there are The report has not yet been published, it of humanity as enshrined in the United some whom I would even call merce- is now with the governments of Venezue- Nations Charter and the Declaration of naries of human rights – condottieri.” the Right to Development.“ la and Ecuador, because I was on mission Alfred de Zayas to both countries and it is the practice of Alfred de Zayas No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 12

”’Working for human rights …’” My final report as of March 2018­ human rights get corrupted today, and they continued from page 11 (A/HRC/37/63) is almost my legacy for get corrupted by the human rights “ex- the Human Rights Council. We wrong- perts” and non-government organisations. You have coined the term human rights ly speak about human rights of the first, industry. What do you mean by that? second and third generation, but this en- In what way? A vast human rights industry has indeed tails a discrimination, since most people Human rights “experts” are human be- developed in which not only the high think of the human rights of the first gen- ings – and, more often than not, ca- commissioners are players but also the eration as of the only “authentic” ones. reerists. Non-governmentalorganisa- diplomats, the ministers, the so-called The second generation, i.e. the econom- tions need money and because they get independent experts and the non-govern- ic, social and cultural rights are regard- paid by the transnational organisations mental organizations, too, who basical- ed as not as important as civil and politi- they instrumentalize and corrupt human ly do what they get payed for. This is a cal rights. And the third generation rights, rights. Because human rights neces- curse of the modern human rights system namely the right to a clean environment, sarily entail restrictions to the econo- – the big transnationals give money to the to peace, to development, these are dis- my and the transnational corporations, High Commissioner for Human Rights missed as something we don’t have the these powerful forces are intent to un- and expect him to make sure that certain money or the time for, these rights exist dermine human rights, but precisely by topics get dealt with and others don’t. merely on paper. But nobody will get ac- using and corrupting the human rights There is only a certain amount of time tive to bring them to life. The important language. How can human rights be neu- and a certain number of people available, question we must ask ourselves is: for tralized or somehow made “harmless”? and if people get assigned to work on the what purpose do we have this whole struc- The “industry” has learned how to cre- wrong priorities, then no time is left to ture of human rights? Who benefits from ate “red herrings” or distractions. The sort out the really important ones. it? Human dignity is the alpha and omega, idea is that people should not grasp the I know all the High Commissioners and all human rights must serve the ulti- real intentions of the powerful. The idea and I have even written two articles about mate goal of ensuring the human dignity is to keep people busy with ancillary the institution of the High commission of all. It is wrong to postulate one human matters so that they don’t pay attention for human rights, one for the Encyclo- right in opposition to another. All human to what really matters. This summaris- paedia of Public International Law and rights serve the same goal – the human es the strategy of those in power and of one for A Concise encyclopaedia of the being as God’s creature, endowed with a the transnational corporations – how to United Nations. The first to hold the po- dignity given by God. neutralise the people. Many non-govern- sition was Jose Ayala-Lasso until 1997, mental organisations deserve being de- then we had an interregnum. Next came Four categories of human rights scribed as human rights mercenaries, as Mary Robinson until 2002 who was fol- Could you explain that in a bit more condottieri. lowed by Sergio Vieira de Mello, who fell detail?­ victim to an assassination in Bagdad on The first of my four categories, which What is your third category? 18 August 2003. The next interregnum should replace the three generations, com- Then we have the procedural rights. was a very fortunate one, since the ap- prises the rights which enable us to invoke They are not indispensable for human pointed “acting” Commissioner Bertrand all other rights. These enabling rights are: life. But they are important for me to de- Ramcharan from Guyana managed the the right to eat, the right to water, the right velop my personality, to achieve my po- position very well, although he was never to housing. Only under these conditions tential, to make myself complete: the given the official title of High Commis- can I – almost like a luxury – invoke the right to information – to correct infor- sioner. He was and is a great intellec- right to free speech. For an African who mation, the right to think and to express tual with strong commitment and with is starving, the right to free speech is not my opinions, also the right to exercise my a sharp sense for priorities and propor- his priority. religion, as it is necessary for me to be- tions. I wrote the article about him in the The second category I call rights of im- come a complete human being, also the Oxford Encyclopaedia of Human Rights. manence, or rights which contain other right of the family and the protection of Bertrand Ramcharan was in charge ad in- rights by necessity, for instance the right the family. terim for two years, then came the Cana- to equality. Every single human right con- dian judge Louise Arbour and then Na- tains as a sine qua non this right of legal “Being able to live vanethem Pillay from South Africa. She equality, a right which may not be exer- together in mutual respect” held the position until 2014 and was fol- cised arbitrarily. I have the same right to And what is the fourth category? lowed by the sitting High Commission- property as you, not more but also not less, Then we get to what I call the end rights er Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein from Jordan, I have the same right to express my opin- or outcome rights, that for which the whose term will end by August this year. ions as you, not more but not less either. whole structure of human rights has We will get a new High Commission- This principle of equality runs through the been put inplace. The right to live my er and obviously this may be reason for whole system of human rights. Then, of dignity as a human being. To live my life some hope, unless a mere politician or course all rights must be interpreted in the the way I am, in my identity. I have the manager is appointed, instead of a per- liigh of the general principles of law, in- right to simply be me, regardless of zeit- son with ethics, a person committed to cluding the principle not to exercise my geist or political correctness, without in- a world order based on human dignity, rights to anyone’s detriment. My rights timidation or self-censorship. The same who is genuinely committed to promote must be exercised in a way so that the way you have the right to be you. With- the right to development and our right to rights of others are not restricted (sic utere out blackmailing, without having to sell be who we are. tuo ut alienum non laedas). oneself. This is the end purpose of the Moreover, the principle ex iniuria non human rights structure that we be able oritur ius means that an unjust act, an il- to live together in mutual respect and Final report as a legacy for the Human legal act cannot give rise to any law or Rights Council that each one of us has his or her own entitlement No one can draw benefits identity. No human being should ever In your final report you talk about the ne- from activities that are wrongful. This is cessity to introduce a new paradigm. the corruption which I talked about. The continued on page 13 No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 13

”’Working for human rights …’” and thought about it. I think that any With the right priorities continued from page 12 human rights system must be rooted in problems could be solved this religious conviction of human dig- The problem with the United Nations, the be forced to give up his identity or to be nity. It is essential that we were creat- Human Rights Council, the Office of the threatened, insulted or attacked in his ed as children of the same Father and all High Commissioner of Human Rights is identity. other human beings in the world are our that all of them have the wrong priori- brothers and sisters, therefore this beau- ties. If only the right priorities were set, “Business-friendly” tiful idea of Friedrich von Schiller in his all problems could be solved and enough human rights by courtesy of Soros hymn to Joy: “Be embraced, millions! money would be available for that. But This is exactly what those corrupting This kiss to the entire world!” This idea while this greed of the upper class is there, the concepts of human rights and human of human fraternity. I found that sensi- that they don’t want to pay their taxes … dignity want to destroy. Human rights ble, logical, that we are not a band of rob- That is why I dedicated an entire re- as perceived and interpreted by George bers, not only sharks or crocodiles or ea- port to the so-called tax havens. It is such Soros and many non-governmental or- gles, we live in an orderly society which a crime that superrich people refuse to ganizations, which I know, are “busi- has been built in millennia of co-opera- give back just a little to the society, a bit ness-friendly” human rights. These are tion and where creation, human creation of what they have basically stolen. Be- the human rights which are good to make has not always been private property but cause for me wealth must have some re- money, to have your Iphones and Ipads, common good. For thousands of years lation to achievement. Those big stock ex- to have your flings, to sell you a pup, if the rich fruits of human intelligence were change speculators like Soros or Warren you will. Ruthless, but this is the free- distributed for the benefit of all. The UN- Buffet, who have created absolutely noth- dom these people are talking about. I ESCO refers to the world heritage. And ing, who only gambled on the markets and have the freedom to build an industry in the American autochthones (mistaken- became rich that way. But they only took which I earn 100 times as much as my ly called Indians) share this philosophy from society and now they pretend to be collaborators. I have the right to organise of human relations and relations between philanthropists. Especially Soros for me a bank or financial consultant firm so that the generations. is a dangerous character, because he not I grant myself a bonus payment of 2 or 3 One example from our time: The only owns fortunes which he doesn’t de- million at the end of the year while my “world wide web”. The www was cre- serve but on top of that he is bold enough co-workers have hardly enough to make ated by the Center for Nuclear Research to tell us what human rights are. He wants ends meet. And as soon as I don’t need (CERN) and given to the world for free. to somehow take our identities away from them anymore, I will of course fire them, The world wide web was never patent- us and force us to become numbers. Be- without a social net to protect them. So, ed. Had CERN patented the world wide cause this is what I see and dread in the this is the most important thing for many web the United Nations could have been modern world, that we are on the brink people like George Soros: the right to financed for all eternity. If only some tiny to be turned into mere robots. Our func- property, to private property. The same portions of this would have been paid… tion is to buy things to keep the produc- is true for the philosopher of capitalism, tion running, the production of complete- Ayn Rand, who even wrote a book with In several of your reports you thematised ly useless things which I don’t want, but the title “The Virtue of Selfishness”. The the financial transaction tax or Tobin tax society wants me to buy. All kinds of stuff virtue of egoism, that is. And all of that on international currency transactions. are offered to me which I don’t need. And is summarised under the term “right to What has this to do with human rights, I get called at 5, 6 and 7 in the evening property is a human right”. Or as for- with a just and democratic world order on at my private phone to make more offers mer World Trade Organisation president an equal footing? of things which I don’t need. It is outra- Pascal Lamy phrased it in total honesty: We have an artificial problem, that human geous what kind of perverted society has “World trade is human rights in practice”. rights programmes cannot be financed developed which has the money system as I have quoted that in my reports. Some- because states have the wrong priori- its only basis – material goods is all many one who says such a sentence has not the ties. Were a financial transaction tax es- people are interested in, no spiritual val- slightest idea what human dignity means. tablished world-wide all of that could be ues like the family or a healthy relation- He is a neoliberal doctrinaire, an ideo- paid for several times. But the banks don’t ship between man and woman, or the sup- logue. What he means is that with trade I want that. It is a scandal that these bank- port for the mother-child-relationship, but can make money. And if I make money I sters, these robbers have so much power only: “I want to own the latest iPad, I want can drop some crumbs for the poor. And that they have managed for decades to to wear the latest sneakers etc.” It is a very therefore, trade is human rights. It is a block each initiative to introduce a finan- fragile and superficial society. bizarre way to view the world. And if I cial transaction tax. They don’t want to look back 50 years to when I was a stu- distribute – they basically want every- Spiritual values dent at Harvard I don’t recall I had ever thing. instead of material goods heard the term “ethics” then. In all my I don’t get it how a human being who One should make it a habit to study all law courses I was not trained as a mem- already owns, say, 50 million dollars those famous paintings from the Middle ber of society striving for justice, but as a should be eager to own 100 million, or a Ages, with topics especially like “memen- gladiator fighting other gladiators and the billion? What for? He will never be able to to mori” (remember that you have to die) strongest would survive. And this at the spend all of that in his entire life. But this or the “Dance of Death”. Because when end would be called justice. Might makes money is withdrawn from society and can- death strikes he will catch us all, rich or right, after all. Legal Darwinism. not provide for training and education, for poor, king or beggar, pope or atheist. This literacy programmes all over the world, to awareness has somehow disappeared from Idea of human fraternity secure food for all people on the earth, for our modern society. I wouldn’t be sur- anti-malaria programmes, anti-Aids-pro- prised to find out that most youths have no How did you get the idea of ethical foun- grammes and to fight all kinds of diseases clue if I asked them about the meaning of dations? like Lyme disease which could be extin- such a dance macabre painting and which I’m a product of the Jesuits. And I took guished with more money. But the money the New Testament seriously. I read it is not invested for that. continued on page 14 No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 14

”’Working for human rights …’” continued from page 13

cultural role it had played in Europe. The same, if they see a painting with a skull and somewhere is the phrase “memento mori” or “vanitas vanitatum” (symbolis- ing the Judaeo-Christian belief about the vanity of all earthly things). They don’t grasp how feeble life is and how use- less vanity is, these extreme show effects which we see and the urge to catch the lat- est fashion products …

Report about the right of people to self-determination But back to my task as a rapporteur: Sev- eral of my reports I regard as particular- ly important and influential in the future. The one report which probably got quoted most often and had the greatest impact is my report to the UN General Assembly on the right of self-determination. The issue is not de-colonisation alone but the funda- mental right of a people to shape their own Alfred de Zayas with Idriss Jazairy (cf CC No 13/2018). (picture ma) future. There are peoples who have re- ceived this right without war. Thus, when at the map of Africa shows that all those ful human beings who gave a lot to me the Soviet Union fell apart, many states borders make no sense, they have been in turn. There is a nice sentence by Sen- gained their independence without war. In drawn arbitrarily by European colonial eca: “Docendo discimus” – we learn by the case of Yugoslavia, there was hardly powers, which means that ethnic groups, teaching, there is a lot of truth in that. I any fighting in Slovenia. Slovenia could regions, religious groups, cultural groups taught many things to my students, but I break free easily. It was different in Cro- have been divided irrationally. As soon as also got very much back from them. Many atia, it was different in Bosnia and Her- those people have reached a level where of my students did not agree with me at zegovina but Slovenia got away with a lot they understand what colonialism did in first, they questioned my positions and of luck. But there have been other nations fact do to them, when they grasp the dis- challenged arguments I had proposed to who suffered tremendously to maintain advantages of being colonialised, they them. But I always allowed them to voice their right to self-determination but with- will want to change these borders, which totally different opinions, so-to-speak. I out success. Examples: The Igbo people is entirely natural. It is their right. What always promised to them – and kept my from Biafra in Nigeria were massacred, the United Nations should do is to antic- promise – never to penalise them for hav- more than 1 million victims, the Tamils ipate these developments, make sure that ing a viewpoint different from mine. I told in Sri Lanka, more than 100,000 victims. matters are settled in advance so that no them: You have a right and an obligation Of course the Tamils have the right to regional wars will break out. But the Unit- to have your own opinions, even if I disa- their own state, of course the Igbos have ed Nations do nothing in this regard and gree with them. The only thing I demand the right to their own state. But the cen- continue addressing far less important is- from you is that you learn how to formu- tral governments will never tolerate that sues. And where war is already raging late your ideas in a logical, well-struc- and they are willing to massacre their they hardly do anything to deal with the tured paper in order to try to convince me own population, basically commit geno- conflicts and bring them to an end through that this is the correct opinion or the cor- cide, in order to maintain their so-called negotiation. Of course I think of Yemen, I rect interpretation of the law or of a given territorial integrity. The Igbos had a lot of think of Gaza and I think of Syria. situation. I always stuck to this principle petrol. The transnationals, mainly Shell, even in some cases where the disagree- Royal Shell, bear a lot of responsibility for “I continue teaching” ments could not be resolved to the end. the genocide against the Igbo people. The Where will you set your priorities in fu- What I demand is the authenticity of ar- Igbos never achieved their autonomy. The ture once your mandate has ended? gumentation. The arguments should not people of Bangladesh did achieve it, but Firstly, I continue teaching. The rela- just echo what I told the students in class. the war between Pakistan, India and Ban- tion with the younger generation is very They are supposed to somehow have in- gladesh claimed up to 3 million human invigorating for me. I enjoy discussion ternalised that, have digested the materi- lives. with people, but not in a top-down, arro- als and enriched them with their own ex- gant manner but talking with my students periences. I think I succeeded in training UN needs a preventive quite normally, although I know that I am quite a few of my students who will make strategy to solve conflicts the teacher and they are the students. Al- valuable contributions in future. What I Which task do the UN have – or should though I know I could be not only their fa- also planted in them is an obligation to- have, in this regard? ther, but their grandfather, but that doesn’t wards truth, an obligation to keep truth- It is their task to foresee developments, prevent me from establishing a human fulness in themselves, not to act as op- have a strategy, broker dialogues between bond with my students which is always a portunists. I told them: had I chosen the central governments and people aspiring relation of trust. I am still in contact with opportunist path I would probably have to self-determination, so that wars may students from the early 1980ies, i.e. 37 climbed much higher on the ladder in the be avoided. It is a preventive strategy, and years ago. By now they have families and United Nations. But what for? I would not since I mentioned the Igbos – one glance children, of course. I met them as thought- continued on page 15 No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 15

”’Working for human rights …’” are these images that the poems evoke and he also had the satisfaction to see this tal- continued from page 14 these colours and nuances of the words. I ent translated into symphonies, masses enjoy this activity very much. There will and operas – this must be absolute happi- have achieved more on a higher post but be plenty of more translations, but I will ness, to know that you have created some- would have been turned into a puppet of always choose poets who mean something thing which will remain. This is more still higher functionaries. I would have to me. I could not picture myself translat- than any writer can give to the world. I followed orders from high above instead ing… well, there are quite a few so-called believe Beethoven will remain relevant of doing what I thought was ethically cor- poets around these days, just like with so- much longer than Schiller or Georg Büch- rect or important. called painters, but their productions don’t ner. Music moves directly, music is this That is the one point: I will continue resonate with me. universal language which can make you teaching. Another point is, I get many in- The last thing which I will probably happy where ever you are. If one could vitations to participate in United Nations tackle again is music. I used to play the start all over again from scratch, provid- panels and this will probably stay the piano and I have one here at home for my ed that would be remotely possible, and if same in the next few years. I also got in- wife. But I rarely sit down to play because we only had more talent … ! vitations to give advise to organisations or I am not satisfied with my performance governments. and I know it takes a lot of work to once What is your final word as a rapporteur? again be able to play decently. But now I I am thankful. I am grateful to have Enjoying literature and music will have sufficient time to play. This will had the opportunity to contribute to the Another point: I have already published be a rewarding activity for future years. cause of human rights. I thank my assis- a book with translations of Rainer Maria Music brings a lot of joy to me. I could tants and my many colleagues. However, Rilke into the English language, which imagine no better life than that of a com- there is no final word – I will continue was well received by the public. Trans- poser who writes symphonies and operas, to teach Human Rights and international lating is an activity which appeals to me this must be even better than being a mu- law at the Geneva School of Diplomacy as beautiful, as aesthetic. It is some sort sician. Because if I reproduce music as and as guest professor at several univer- of therapy for me. I enter the beautiful a musician, I can immerse my soul into sities. I am still convinced that enormous world of Rainer Maria Rilke, of Joseph it, but at the end of the day it still is the progress has been achieved since 1945 von Eichendorff, of Hermann Hesse. For music of Beethoven, Brahms and Schu- and that a democratic and just interna- two or three hours during which I trans- mann and not my own creation. Beethov- tional order is indeed possible. Working late, I am happy, I am fulfilled. Because en for me is the one human being who for the human rights requires patience, I am dealing with something beautiful gave the most enlightenment to me and perseverance and passion. Gutta cavat and I have the chance to create something to the world. Notwithstanding my love lapidem! beautiful from it in the English language. for Wagner and Schubert, Brahms and Ocassionally I also translate these poems Richard Strauss – Beethoven has some- Thank you so much, Professor de Zayas, into French and Spanish. Time runs like thing which is greater than all of them, I for this talk. • crazy doing that. During translation the think, and considering that this man not head is totally occupied. All you notice only had an incredible amount of talent,

Alfred de Zayas’ 23 principles of international order The reports of the Independent Ex- firmed in the Charter and in common and cultural systems, without interfer- pert have been guided by numerous article 1 of the International Covenant ence in any form by another State. Al- General Assembly resolutions, notably on Civil and Political Rights and the In- ready in 1510 the Spanish Dominican resolutions 2625 (XXV) and 3314 (XXIX), ternational Covenant on Economic, So- Francisco de Vitoria,2 Professor of Law which, together with the Charter, pro- cial and Cultural Rights. The rights-hold- in Salamanca, stated that all nations pound a vision of a democratic and eq- ers of self-determination are peoples. had the right to govern themselves and uitable international order. Based on the The duty bearers are States. The exer- could accept the political regime they work of the mandate holder, the follow- cise of self-determination is an expres- wanted, even if it was not the best;3 ing should be generally recognized as sion of democracy and attains enhanced 7. Peoples and nations possess sov- principles of international order: legitimacy when a referendum is con- ereignty over their natural resources. 1. Pax optima rerum.1 The noblest ducted under the auspices of the Unit- If these natural resources were “sold” principle and purpose of the United Na- ed Nations. Although the enjoyment of or “assigned” pursuant to colonial, ne- tions is promoting peace, preventive- self-determination in the form of auton- ocolonial or “unequal treaties” or con- ly and, in case of armed conflict, facili- omy, federalism, secession or union with tracts, these agreements must be revised tating peacemaking, reconstruction and another State entity is a human right, it to vindicate the sovereignty of peoples reconciliation; is not self-executing. Timely dialogue over their own resources; 2. The Charter takes priority over all for the realization of self-determination 8. The principle of territorial integrity other treaties (Article 103); is an effective conflict-prevention meas- has external application, i.e. State A may 3. Human dignity is the source of all ure (see A/69/272, paras. 63–77); not invade or encroach upon the territo- human rights, which, since 1945, have 5. Statehood depends on four crite- rial integrity of State B. This principle can- expanded into an international human ria: population, territory, government not be used internally to deny or hollow rights treaty regime, many aspects of and the ability to enter into relations out the right of self-determination of peo- which have become customary inter- with other countries. While interna- ples, which constitutes a jus cogens right national law. The international human tional recognition is desirable, it is not (see A/69/272, paras. 21, 28, 69 and 70); rights treaty regime takes priority over constitutive but only declaratory. A new 9. State sovereignty is superior to commercial and other treaties (see A/ State is bound by the principles of inter- commercial and other agreements (see HRC/33/40, paras. 18–42); national order, including human rights; A/HRC/33/40, paras. 43–54); 4. The right of self-determination of 6. Every State has an inalienable right peoples constitutes jus cogens and is af- to choose its political, economic, social continued on page 16 No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 16

”Freedom, Democracy and …” ”Alfred de Zayas’ 23 principles …” ed towards the violent overthrow of the ferences in their political, economic and continued from page 16 continued from page 15 regime of another State, or interfere in social systems, in order to maintain in- civil strife in another State;4 ternational peace and security and to 10. States shall refrain in their inter- 18. The use of force to deprive peo- promote international economic stabili- national relations from the threat or use ples of their national identity constitutes ty and progress. To this end, States are of force against the territorial integrity a violation of their inalienable rights and obliged to conduct their international re- or political independence of any State of the principle of non-intervention; lations in the economic, social, cultural, or in any other manner inconsistent 19. The ontology of States is to leg- technical and trade fields in accordance with the purposes of the United Nations islate in the public interest. The ontolo- with the principles of sovereign equali- (Charter, Art. 2 (4)); gy of business and investment is to take ty and non-intervention. States should 11. States have a positive duty to ne- risks to generate profit. A treaty that promote a culture of dialogue and me- gotiate and settle their international dis- stipulates one-way protection for inves- diation; putes by peaceful means in such a man- tors and establishes arbitration commis- 22. The right to access reliable infor- ner that international peace, security sions that encroach on the regulatory mation is indispensable for the national and justice are not endangered (Char- space of States is by nature contra bonos and international democratic order. The ter, Art. 2 (3)); mores. Hence, the investor-State dis- right of freedom of opinion and expres- 12. States have the duty to refrain pute settlement mechanism cannot be sion necessarily includes the right to be from propaganda for war (Internation- reformed; it must be abolished (see A/ wrong. “Memory laws”,5 which pretend al Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, HRC/30/44, paras. 8, 12, 17 and 53, and to crystalize history into a politically cor- art. 20 (1)); A/70/285, paras. 54 and 65); rect narrative, and penal laws enacted 13. States shall negotiate in good faith 20. States must respect not only the to suppress dissent are anti-democratic, for the early conclusion of a universal letter of the law, but also the spirit of offend academic freedom and endan- treaty on general and complete disarma- the law, as well as general principles of ger not only domestic but also inter- ment under effective international con- law (Statute of the International Court national democracy (see A/HRC/24/38, trol (A/HRC/27/51, paras. 6, 16, 18 and 44); of Justice, Article 38), such as good faith, the impartiality of judges, non-selectiv- para. 37); 14. States may not organize or en- 23. States have a duty to protect and courage the organization of irregular ity, uniformity of application of law, the principle of non-intervention, estoppel preserve nature and the common herit- forces or armed bands, including merce- (ex injuria non oritur jus), the prohibi- age of humankind for future generations. naries, for incursion into the territory of tion of the abuse of rights (sic utere tuo 1 Peace is the highest good (motto of the another State; ut alienum non laedas) and the prohi- Peace of Westphalia, 1648). 15. States must refrain from interven- bition of contracts or treaties that are 2 See http://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/cgi/view- ing in matters within the national juris- contra bonos mores. It is not only the content.cgi?article=1325&context=ilj. diction of another State; written law that stands, but the broad- 3 See www.academia.edu/7222085/The_Foun- 16. No State may use or encourage er principles of natural justice as already dations_of_Human_Rights_Human_nature_ and_jus_gentium_as_articulated_by_Francis- the use of economic, political or any recognized in Sophocles’ Antigone, af- firming the unwritten laws of humanity, co_de_Vitoria. other type of measures to coerce anoth- 4 and the concept of a higher moral law Military and Paramilitary Activities in and er State in order to obtain from it the prohibiting unconscionably taking ad- against Nicaragua (Nicaragua v. United subordination of the exercise of its sov- vantage of a weaker party, which could States of America), Merits, Judgment. I.C.J. ereign rights and to secure from it ad- well be considered a form of economic Reports 1986, p. 14. Available at www.icj-cij. vantages of any kind; org/files/case- related/70/070-19860627-JUD- neocolonialism or neo-imperialism (see 01-00-EN.pdf. 17. No State may organize, assist, fo- annex II below); 5 Human Rights Committee, general comment ment, finance, incite or tolerate subver- 21. States have the duty to cooperate No. 34 (2011) on the freedoms of opinion and sive, terrorist or armed activities direct- with one another, irrespective of the dif- expression, para. 49.

Current Concerns The international journal for independent thought, ethical standards, moral responsibility, and for the promotion and respect of public international law, human rights and humanitarian law Subscribe to Current Concerns – The journal of an independent cooperative The cooperative Zeit-Fragen is a politically and financially independent organisation. All of its mem­bers work on a voluntary and honorary basis. The journal does not accept commercial advertisements of any kind and receives no financial support from business organisations. The journal Current Concerns is financed exclusively by its subscribers. We warmly recommend our model of free and independent press coverage to other journals. Annual subscription rate of CHF 40,-; Euro 30,-; USD 40,-; GBP 25,- for the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hongkong, Iceland, Ireland, Is- rael, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Swit- zerland, United Arab ­Emirates, United Kingdom, USA Annual subscription rate of CHF 20,-; Euro 15,-; USD 20,-; GBP 12,50 for all other countries. Please choose one of the following ways of payment: - send a cheque to Current Concerns, P. O. Box, CH-8044 Zurich, or - send us your credit card details (only Visa), or - pay into one of the following accounts: CH: Postscheck-Konto (CHF): 87-644472-4 IBAN CH91 0900 0000 8764 4472 4 BIC POFICHBEXXX CH: Postscheck-Konto (Euro): 91-738798-6 IBAN CH83 0900 0000 9173 8798 6 BIC POFICHBEXXX D: Volksbank Tübingen, Kto. 67 517 005, BLZ 64190110 IBAN DE12 6419 0110 0067 5170 05 BIC GENODES1TUE A: Raiffeisen Landesbank, Kto. 1-05.713.599, BLZ 37000 IBAN AT55 3700 0001 0571 3599 BIC RVVGAT2B No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 17 More than a well-founded plea against German war policy Willy Wimmer’s new book „Germany in Upheaval“ by Johannes Irsiegler

“In the future nothing but peace shall em- give a place to a “line of argument related anate from German soil. We are aware to international and constitutional law” (p. that inviolability of frontiers and respect 29) of personalities such as Willy Wimmer. for territorial integrity and sovereignty At the same time, it became increasingly of all states in Europe are a fundamental clear that the focus was against the Rus- condition for peace.” This quote by Hel- sian Federation. Here, too, Germany was mut Kohl from 1990, is at the beginning of compelled to take a calamitous path “under Willy Wimmer’s latest book “Deutschland increasing gagging of public opinion” (p. im Umbruch. Vom Diskurs zum Konkurs – 13). It carried out all hostile NATO actions eine Republik wird abgewickelt” (Germa- against Russia, including sanctions against ny in Upheaval. From discourse to bank- Russia harming its own economy. ruptcy – a republic is being wound up), which was published in April this year. Turning away from social market economy … Willy Wimmer has actively participated At the same time, massive changes took and thus shaped the last decades as a CDU place within the social and economic fabric member of the German “Bundestag”, as of the Federal Republic, according to Wim- spokesman on defence policy for his party mer a “metamorphosis of the republic” (p. in the German “Bundestag”, as Parliamen- 53). In economic policy, the achievements tary State Secretary at the Federal Minis- of the social market economy – an impor- try of Defence or as vice-President of the tant part of the identity and of the economic OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The future and social success in the early years of the of his country is one of his constant con- Federal Republic – were abandoned. The ISBN 978-394 3007-16-9 cerns: “Germany is […] my country, I care “buccaneer mentality” (p. 40) of Anglo- that it does not perish. And I’m willing to Saxon capitalism – fast profit and prompt Willy Wimmer puts all these parallel openly engage for it.” (p. 12) distribution of profits – increasingly gained developments in context, and this is one of He is aiming at exploring the devel- influence. “Shareholder value spill(ed) over the strengths of his book. Developments in opments that led to a situation today in the Atlantic” (p. 35), and those who, like the economy and internally have a lot to which a global war is possible at any time. Willy Wimmer, still dared to speak public- do with developments in foreign policy: To this end, he allows the reader to partic- ly of a social market economy were equat- Turning away from a policy of agreement ipate in his many encounters and experi- ed with communists by propagandists of and peace in international relations, head- ences in his many functions and not least uninhibited capital and even avoided by ing for a policy of confrontation with Rus- as a confidant and companion of Helmut their own party colleagues. sia today pushing Germany to the brink of Kohl. The focus is on the many personal war. The author recalls the words of Hel- relationships he has been able to establish … instead heading for “market-driven mut Kohl from 1992: “A Europe without and nurture over the years. democracy” and putsch-like decisions Russia will not be Europe”. (p. 259) According to Angela Merkel, a “market- Step by step towards a policy driven democracy” (p. 49) should be striv- Warning against a dissolution of aggression against Russia en for. At the same time, parliamentary of societal cohesion in Germany In the preface Willy Wimmer follows up democracy had been increasingly under- Wimmer warns against a dissolution his last book “The Moscow File”. “As early mined within the country. Willy Wimmer of societal cohesion in Germany. More as the first half of the 1990s, we felt that brings in the example of the “putsch-like and more citizens feeling alienated from there was a huge upheaval in the country: decision of the Federal Chancellor” (p. their government, waning support for es- other powers tried to manipulate and dom- 224) Merkel in the matter of migration in tablished parties, spreading of new par- inate us, primarily the United States and the summer/autumn of 2015. Without fur- ties and movements throughout Europe. Britain, as well as international organiza- ther ado her decisions disregarded the de- Wimmer sympathises with the citizens, tions, and to drag us into their policy of ag- cision-making power of parliament. but at the same time he reminds: “How- gression against the Russian Federation. As a further example Willy Wimmer ever, who is behind the parties that were Apparently, they had already aimed at cre- mentions the plans of the current Feder- newly established to give people a po- ating another ‘Moscow File’.” (p. 11) al Government to to authorise military litical home? There are persistent indi- Willy Wimmer shows how Germany “Bundeswehr” missions in future without cations from many sides that because of has changed to its disadvantage since the a parliamentary decision only by the gov- the dwindling international development 1990s and what these changes have to do ernment – which, in conclusion, “would since the financial crisis in 2007, many a with the war policy to which also Ger- mean allowing the NATO commander- foundation of a party was not planned in many had been aligned to. This war pol- in-chief in Germany full freedom of ac- Western Europe […]”. (p. 232) It would icy was already evident in the late 1990s tion, i.e. subordinating the ‘Bundeswehr’ not be the first time since the end of the in the “war contrary to international law de facto to the American president” (p. Second World War that a so-called spon- against the Federal Republic of Yugo- 223). At the same time, a new type of sol- taneous movement was actually planned slavia”, the “first war of aggression after dier was called for. No longer “citizen in overseas to prevent an independent pol- 1945” (p. 21), in which Germany partici- uniform” but “fighter” – or in other words icy. pated – seconded by large sections of the “‘Wehrmacht’, without being allowed to public media, which no longer wanted to call it that”. (p. 221) continued on page 18 No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 18

”More than a well-founded …” been bombed out of their civilizations. citizens as an example, Willy Wimmer continued from page 17 A future is no longer possible in these describes the examples of citizens and countries, nor is one’s own life. Wherev- shows the possibilities everybody has in “Deliberatly bleeding Europe”… er NATO goes, murder and manslaughter his personal life to effectively counter Time and again Willy Wimmer expresses become established.” (p. 68) the mood of war. He warns against being his great concern for his country, but also misled or being drawn into “attention- for international peace. The reader learns Conflicts like in the Middle East are seeking individual examples […].” (p. that since the First Gulf War “consider- intended to keep on smouldering 237) One might rather ask oneself: What able funds have flowed out of the federal He points out what the coup launched by does the “criminal case in Salisbury” (p. budget for financing the wars of other al- the West in Ukraine was all about. Sev- 236) have to do with the fire disaster in lies”. These funds “are no longer available astopol, an important port for the Rus- the Siberian city of Kemerowo with more for the modernization of our community, sian fleet in Crimea, was to be snatched than forty dead children and all this with for economic innovations or the urgent- from Russia in order to disrupt the supply the 2018 Football World Cup in Russia? ly needed social compensation.” (p. 230) of Syrian President Assad by the Russian Reading the book encourages to think in- As a result, Germany’s economy is weak- navy. (p. 217) dependently. ening. “Considering that American glob- The reader takes part in a conversa- al corporations in the European Union, tion with a guest from Israel who ex- Germany and Switzerland unlike local companies, have almost no plains why Israel didn‘t sign a fully ne- Willy Wimmer shows ways for a poli- taxes to pay, everyone gets an idea of gotiated agreement with Syria on the cy committed to peace and internation- what a partnership with the United States future of the Golan Heights: “The return al law. Germany could return to the “ob- means in the recurrent gossip of ‘burden of the Golan Heights could have meant ligation to the constitutional tradition of sharing’.” (p. 230) It is easy to understand the end of the conflict in the Middle East the Federal Republic of Germany as it why Wimmer describes this procedure as or at least it could have initiated it.” (p. prevailed until the change of government “deliberately bleeding Europe” (p. 229). 218) The region could have been spared in autumn 1998, […]”. (p. 237) The EU great suffering! Again and again Willy could be developed in a direction with … and the real reasons Wimmer gets to the heart of the essen- the idea of nation as the basis of the for the refugee crisis tial problem of today’s world: “The war democratic state as a constitutive compo- The book helps us to better understand policy of the USA all over the world nent. Military cooperation between EU many events that have occupied us in re- must be seen as a dramatic step back- countries could rule out wars of aggres- cent years. For example, Willy Wimmer wards in civilization; it creates a situa- sion. NATO serving only defence pur- blatantly reveals the causes of the refu- tion that makes a global war possible at poses in accordance with the Charter of gee crisis, which are often forgotten in all times.” (p. 219) the United Nations could be a condition the polarized debate on its consequences: of Germany’s membership in this organ- “Often a cloak of silence is laid over the Encouraging to think independently isation. Last but not least, Willy Brandt’s true causes of exuberant migration. Be- Reading the book, the question aris- demand for more democracy could be tween Afghanistan and Mali, under the es: What can be done? This is also the complied with. The last phrase of the thumb of NATO the world has been com- title of the postface of his book, and it pletely destroyed. Millions of people have is a good afterword. Using individual continued on page 19

EU-Europe faces a self-inflicted shambles

by Willy Wimmer cc. At its meeting in Brussels on 27 and in agreement on core issues of migra- ing centers inside or outside the EU 28 June 2018, the European Council (the tion policy. Only the word “voluntary”, bring the United Nations or UN sub-or- Heads of State and Government of all EU which appears several times, probably ganisations into play. It is precisely the Member States) formulated 12 points on made a formal compromise possible at United Nations that seeks to transpose migration and included them in its con- all. Willy Wimmer comments on the re- anti-state concepts beyond the heads of clusions (http://www.consilium.europa. sults of Brussels as follows. the EU-European population with their eu/media/35938/28-euco-final-conclu- ‘social tests’ and relocation projects. It sions-de.pdf). The German Chancellor You have to look twice as far as this de- is to be expected that the UN and the took this as evidence of her claim that cision in Brussels is concerned. At it you UN’s migration organisation will be even there must and could only be a “total can get “sick”, as far as the normal use of more enabled by the EU’s decisions to EU solution” to the migration issue. She language is concerned. There are mut- implement its anti-democratic concepts. refuses independent national regula- liple reasons for this. In Brussels, most- The EU summit did not even give the tions. However, reading the agreed 12 ly those heads of state and government heads of state and government any air. points shows that although formal com- sit together, who are just responsible Europe faces a self-inflicted shambles promises were formulated in terms of for the crisis-laden migration progress that may mean the end of the EU. This uniform migration policy, combating fa- since 2015. Their interest is directed at is how the Heads of State and Govern- cilitating, securing the EU’s external bor- not being held accountable in elections. ment have done the greatest possible ders, accelerated deportation of illegal A solution to the huge problems is not damage to the legitimate aspirations of migrants, set-up of collecting places for to be expected from these people. Only the people of Europe for peace, securi- them and also collecting points for the Prime Minister Orbán has set a clear line: ty and prosperity. First, President Trump examination of the right to asylum, fi- to not let people without legal reason will have to meet with Russian President nally the combat of the causes of flight – enter Europe and bring those who have Putin on July 16, 2018, to give the Eu- but all that in itself contradictory, vague nevertheless made it to Europe back out ropean continent hope for peace and and non-binding. In this respect, the of EU-Europe. good neighborliness. Those responsible conclusions show that the governments You throw sand into the eyes of the in EU-Europe are toothless tigers, to the of the EU member states are still not people in EU-Europe when disembark- detriment of all of us. No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 19 Human trafficking and sexual slavery along the Danube by Dr phil. Barbara Hug

geographically along the Danube. The taboo and the looking away from the disturbing red light and prostitution mi- lieu must come to an end. The facts are ver- ified and document- ed by the excellent analysis of the expe- rienced former chief superintendent Man- In Budapest, October 2017 a significant fred Paulus from Ulm. Countless jour- declaration, initiated by the Danube Region neys took him to the hot spots of wom- Initiative of the city of Ulm was adopted. en-and human trafficking, for example The social and political institutions in the to Hungary, Croatia, Kosovo, Romania, Danube area as well as in the EU were Macedonia, Albania, among other coun- called upon to take the necessary steps tries. The Danube area can be considered in the fight against human trafficking and as the recruitment-, transit-, and exploita- ISBN 978-3-86281-128-1 forced prostitution. tion center of the “commodity man”. have deep insights and knowledge into How did this declaration come about, Paulus points out the distress of the these structures, warned Germany sever- why did it become so necessary? young women who have no other choice al times: Its purpose is to identify and point out than to turn to prostitution because they “The German laws date from the last the terrible grievances concerning women- have no other means of subsistence in century and are not helpful to fight effec- and human trafficking, which takes place their home country. The existential trou- tively against Mafia (or Organised Crime)”. bles of these women but also of their All in all, new measures are urgently families allows the women’s traffickers to needed but where has it gone – the po- ”More than a well-founded …” seize the opportunity. Taking note of the litical will? continued from page 18 figures, one is really astonished. Human Due to the Danube Region Initia- and drug trafficking is the third largest tive of the city of Ulm collective efforts book refers to Switzerland: “Switzerland sector of Organized Crime in Germany, and the agreement grew that something shows us what it means to live democra- as Paulus describes. On the interfaces be- has to be done against the miserable cy as responsible citizens.” tween the rich and the poor human beings and most brutal business with the fe- Willy Wimmer still belongs to the gen- are treated as goods. In this context Vien- male body.You cannot put credit upon eration that was born in the war and grew na plays a key role due to its geographi- the “European community of values” up in the post-war period and that knows cal location. and “overlook” such severe exploita- what war means. The concern: No more Paulus proves his report by facts and tion at the same time.The political will war from German soil, is to be found in figures for the whole Danube region. is most important for the police force to every page of his book. It is a plea for un- This includes: Germany, Austria, Slo- work successfully together.This political derstanding among nations. The book is vakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bos- will seems to be missing in most areas – interesting, easy to read and extremely nia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, still. • informative. In the appendix of the book Albania, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgar- there are valuable documents. The whole ia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The brutal Paulus, Manfred. Menschenhandel und Sex- book is a real treasure trove, a “must” for business of women-and human traffick- sklaverei – entlang der Donau. Anwerbungs- anyone who wants to grasp the last 25 ing is operated by very well organised methoden, Schleusungspraktiken, Ausbeutungs- years of contemporary history more pre- groups. It is easy to understand that these formen. (Trafficking in human beings and sexual cisely and understand what happened. groups can be assigned to the Organised slavery – along the Danube. Recruitment meth- • ods, smuggling practices, forms of exploitation). Crime.Roberto Scarpinato, chief pros- Klemm+Oelschläger publishing House, Ulm 2018. (Translation Current Concerns) ecutor from Palermo, who is known to 163 pages, Fr. 14.90 No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 20 The need for ethical and moral reconsideration On the new publication “Natural Law and Morality in a Pluralistic Society” by Urs Knoblauch, cultural publicist, Fruthwilen TG

It is very commendable that the “Joseph- pluralistic society with its great and un- Höffner-Gesellschaft” makes the contri- solved tasks. butions of the public symposium 2016 in Königswinter accessible to a broad pub- “In search of a lic as volume 6 “Naturrecht und Moral universal code of ethics.” in pluralistischer Gesellschaft”(Natural The book starts with Josef Spindelböck’s Law and Morality in a Pluralistic Soci- fundamental contribution “Natural Law, ety), edited by Christian Müller, Elmar Sacred Scripture and Revelation”. The au- Nass and Johannes Zabel. thor deals with the clarification of the ter- minology of natural law, its philosophical Founded in 2002, the Society aims at con- roots, of the distinction between natural tinuing and updating the life’s work of the and divinely revealed laws. He also refers great scholar and archbishop of Cologne, to the important work “In Search of a Uni- Joseph Cardinal Höffner (1906–1987). versal Code of Ethics. A new look at the His standard work “Christliche Gesell- natural moral law” of the International schaftslehre” (“Christian Theory of Soci- Theological Commission (Vatican 2009). ety”) was published in 1962. It is wide- Current Concerns presented and honoured ly read in its numerous extended editions, this work in detail (Current Concerns No. and has been translated into many lan- 14/15 from 1 July 2017). The authors of ISBN 978-3-506-78685-2 guages. the Commission point out that by virtue of man’s rational and spiritual nature as well Joseph Cardinal Höffner’s significance as his emotional ability to socially connect Anthropological and socio-ethical Lothar Roos, who is represented with a with fellow-men from the most diverse cul- foundations of natural law contribution in the book reviewed here, tures and world religions, there are com- refers to Joseph Cardinal Höffner’s nu- mon, natural moral values, and these con- Lothar Roos introduces his contribution merous and “diverse pastoral journeys as tribute to a universal code of ethics and are “Natural law in the tradition of ecclesiasti- chairman of the German Bishops’ Con- valid for believers as well as unbelievers in cal teaching” with the anthropological and ference in many countries of the Third the sense of the United Nations Declaration social-ethical foundations of natural law. World” in the preface to the 2001 new edi- of Human Rights. With all peoples and in “Man is by nature a moral being, i.e. his tion of “Christliche Gesellschaftslehre”. all cultures we can find forms of the “gold- Creator has endowed him with enough rea- As “ambassador of the social doctrine of en rule” or the “categorical imperative”, to son to be able to distinguish between good the Church” he was faced with the task of do good and to refrain from evil. and evil, between right and wrong. He also working in a multicultural and pluralistic has a sufficient degree of willpower to en- society threatened spiritually and materi- Reference to Johannes Messner able him to seek and walk the paths ‘from ally. Josef Spindelböck also refers to Johannes less human to more human living condi- Sound ethical and moral reconsidera- Messner: “‘Natural law’ is that part of the tions’ (Paul II, Populorum Progressio 20). tion and orientation is urgently needed in natural moral law that relates to the rights This natural capacity also includes the order to overcome the great social injus- and duties of individuals as well as of so- human conscience, through which he can tices and violations of law, as well as rel- cial groups in social life. Johannes Mess- recognise and affirm his personal respon- ativism and nihilism. It is notably natural ner defines natural law firstly as ‘a stock sibility for his thinking, will and actions. law, the social doctrine of the church, fun- of rights accorded to man by virtue of his This conviction can already be found in the damental and human rights and universal nature’, and secondly as the science re- early Greek pioneers of natural law think- ethics that play a central role here. lated thereto, i.e. the doctrine of natural ing (Plato and Aristotle), but especial- law. Seen in this light, natural moral law ly in the stoic philosophy of natural law. The great value of natural law constitutes the basis for the obligation of Such primeval insights apply to all peo- This addresses the main concerns of the natural law. It is based on the nature of ples and everywhere. They belong to the eight renowned authors Christoph Ohly man and thus on the will of the Creator”. natural endowment of every human being.” (Natural Law and Canon Law), Jür- (p. 16) (p. 35) The author presents the natural, cul- gen Henkel (Natural Law, Reformation tural and cultural-anthropological social and Orthodoxy), Günter Risse (Human Criticism of relativism principles of the common good, of solidari- Rights as Natural Law in the Islamic and constructivism ty and subsidiarity in an easily understand- Understanding), Elmar Nass (Implic- With regard to the criticism of natural able way. The reader also gains an insight it Natural Law in New Aristotelism), law, Spindelböck clarifies that in a “plu- into the connection between Thomas von Christian Müller and Michael Sendk- ralistically composed world” the “foun- Aquin’s theory of goods and the teaching er (Narration or Natural Law?) and Gi- dation of natural law” must refer to of the social market economy. useppe Franco (Natural Law and Crit- the experiences in the “inner and outer ical Rational Epistemology). Especially world”, and that therefore no “abstract- Ethical and moral reconsideration in a time in which natural law is hard- metaphysical concept of nature” is pre- With its interdisciplinary approach, the ly taught any longer, it is a concern of supposed. This emphasises the principle well worth reading conference tran- all the authors to demonstrate, from dif- of reality, the recognisability of truth and script, makes a valuable contribution to ferent theoretical and school approach- the rejection of relativism and arbitrary es, its great value for today’s secular and constructivism. continued on page 21 No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 21 Inclusion – progress or regression? by Dr phil. Judith Barben, psychologist and primary school teather

There has been much talk about “inclu- well that they could later follow the les- her individuality. The aim is a school edu- sion” or “integration” in schools lately.1 sons in the regular class without major cation that serves as a basis for the child’s Both terms mean that as many children problems. further acquisition of knowledge and as possible – whether normally gifted or Likewise pupils with behavioural and skills.6 mentally handicapped, whether behaving learning problems were enabled to over- normally or being disruptive – are taught come their difficulties and, after some Learning on an equal footing together in one school class. As a con- time, to move to regular classes. The principle that every child is taught sequence, almost all special classes and There are still special institutions and according to his or her capabilities and schools are to disappear. The main argu- schools for pupils with physical disabil- abilities is still valid today. This princi- ment in favour of “inclusion” or “integra- ities or sensory impairments. These pu- ple can be applied to any type of teaching. tion” is that children would learn more pils are furthered by specialised teachers In sports, for example, teams train with social competence. Is that true? with the aim of allowing them later on to similarly strong players. Everyone benefits lead – as far as possible – an independent most from lessons with participants who Until a few years ago there used to be a and meaningful life. In the long run it is are at a similar level. carefully structured system of special planned that these schools and institutions Children who always experience that classes and schools in Switzerland. Chil- should disappear, too.2 What will happen everyone else is better than them become dren with special needs were taught ac- to these children when they are in regu- discouraged and develop a negative self- cording to their needs and capabilities in lar classes? image. Many of them become disruptive. these special classes and schools. Special But even students who are far ahead of the classes are smaller than regular classes Some historical aspects others lose the joy of learning. They be- and part of elementary school. of Swiss special education come bored ore disruptive since they are Up to the beginning of the 19th century, all not enough challenged. Integration as an objective pupils were taught together in one class ir- There used to be special classes for pu- respective of their age, needs and hand- The more different, the better? pils with behavioural problems, learn- icaps.3 Then, however, educators found In view of these facts it is all the more ing difficulties and also for speakers of out that learning together in a school class astonishing that the “Curriculum 21” is foreign languages, as well as special in- with pupils of similar level has a positive intended to dissolve the year classes and troductory classes for school beginners effect on the pupil’s performance. Age- the kindergarten. According to “Curric- needing additional support. These chil- grouped school classes were formed. In ulum 21”, learning takes place in age- dren were taught the first grade subjects 1832, the Canton of Zurich for example mixed groups during three or four years within two years and in smaller steps. issued an education law requiring com- from the age of four.7 At the same time Like this they were provided with opti- pulsory education in six consecutive age- more and more communes are merging mal starting conditions for the second grouped classes.4 school levels such as secondary school A year in regular school. Thanks to private initiatives, schools and B, another form of “inclusion”. The The primary purpose of all special for the blind and deaf were also estab- aim of “Curriculum 21” seems to be: the classes has always been the integration lished. The blind learnt “Braille”, a re- more heterogeneous (different), the bet- of all pupils into regular school. Thanks lief-like tactile printing.5 The deaf were ter. to additional support by the teacher and taught sign and finger language as well Summing up: In order to create diver- to the smaller number of children, pupils as a sound method which enabled them to sity, perfectly functioning age-grouped with difficulties can learn to stand their learn to speak. classes are torn apart and special class- ground in a classroom community. They On the other hand the mentally disad- es are dissolved, resulting in disruptive are together with classmates with similar vantaged children were not at all sent to behaviour and increasing aggression difficulties. This helps them feel part of a classes or had to attend the regular class- among the pupils. High-performing stu- class community. es where they were usually neglected. As dents who are eager to learn are annoyed Speakers of foreign languages were a result, they often lost all their self-con- by troublemakers who constantly divert enabled to learn the national language so fidence. them from learning. The troublemakers, Finally teaching materials and curricula on the other hand, often disrupt the les- for children with learning difficulties and sons because they cannot keep up. ”The need for ethical and …” continued from page 20 mental disabilities were developed. In spe- cial classes and schools, the subjects were Inclusion lowers achievement reattributing more significance to the sci- presented as simply and clearly as possi- It is often claimed that “inclusion” does entific foundations of human social na- ble so that the pupils could make progress. not result in any loss of performance. ture, natural law and a code of ethics However, a pilot study by the Intercan- orientated towards public welfare, and Objectives of special education tonal University for Special Education it does so in times of the deconstruction A textbook from 1925 expresses the ob- Zurich proves the opposite. The study of moral values, of the neglect of justice jectives of special education: examined 27 “integrative regular class- and the “dictatorship of relativism” (Jo- “All children have the right to educa- es” in the Cantons of Zurich, St. Gallen seph Ratzinger). It is to be hoped that tion. Equality consists in the same chanc- and Schwyz.8 The findings are devastat- well-founded contributions from all cir- es for every child to receive an education ing. cles of society will be added to an ur- that corresponds with his or her natural ca- “Integration classes do poorly in gently needed ethical and moral recon- pabilities within the framework of com- tests,” headlined the “Tages-Anzeiger”.9 sideration. • pulsory schooling. Every child, weak or The teachers were dissatisfied and com- strong, must be granted the development (Translation Current Concerns) and support that is appropriate to his or continued on page 22 No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 22

”Inclusion – progress or ...” Strengthening the class community continued from page 21 According to Steiner, the teacher should April 2018. On Visitor’s Day, a grand- promote the school class’ homogeneity father, a primary school teacher him- plained about the most precarious con- by consciously welding it together into a self, visited his granddaughter’s les- son in an “integrative” class in a ditions as a result of implementing “in- “learning community”. This has an ex- primary school in Zurich. He describes clusion”. The special teachers were only tremely positive impact on the pupils’ mo- his impression as follows: available for certain hours and half of tivation. “Some of the children were practis- them had not been trained at all. Many Steiner concludes: no mixed-age class- ing the series of eight, while others communes hired “school assistants” es, no inclusion in regular classes of pu- did something else and were talk- without any pedagogical training instead pils with learning difficulties and severe ing loudly. The children with the se- of special teachers.10 behavioural problems, since no one bene- ries of eight were not practising with The scientists were alarmed that not fits in these classes. According to Steiner, the teacher, but sitting or lying on the only pupils with special educational the class room community as a success- floor. First, they spent time by draw- needs, but also regular pupils without spe- ful learning community should definitely ing the tasks by lot. One of them got a piece of paper without lines. Then cial educational needs – the vast majori- be cultivated – in all types of classes and the dice were thrown. Immediate- ty – achieved below-average results in the schools. ly a child shouted the correct result. performance tests. The pilot study thus The writer wrote with a pencil, while clearly shows that “inclusion” lowers the No legal basis lying on the floor, the whole calcula- level of the whole class.11 Both the Federal Constitution, Arts. 8, tion in a lengthy way, while the oth- 19 and 62, and the UN Convention on ers had to wait endlessly. Obvious- In the stranglehold the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ly, the writer was a very weak pupil. of the Curriculum 21 Art. 24 are often mentioned to justify Then the dice were thrown again and Professor emeritus of psychology Dr phil. “inclusion”. But nothing of “inclusion” so it went on.” This example shows that with the “in- Gerhard Steiner of the University of Basel is mentioned in these documents, on the clusion” the majority of pupils aren’t is extremely critical of “inclusion”. He contrary: The Federal Constitution guar- learning much because they don’t pay wrote the essay “Im Würgegriff des Lehr- antees that no child must be discriminated attention, the weaker pupils are ex- plan 21” (“In the Stranglehold of Curric- against and that children with disabilities posed unnecessarily and the speed of ulum 21”). It shows that the “Curriculum are granted adequate special education! learning is slowed down. 21” with its forced heterogeneity is a fun- With regard to the UN Convention on damentally wrong approach.12 the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, In contrast to “Curriculum 21”, Stein- the Federal Supreme Court states that the es? What is the effect you have ob- er demands a “de-heterogenisation” of Convention’s requirements are fulfilled if served in your children? I am happy school classes. This is the only way to the child’s welfare and development pos- to hear your opinions or questions: strengthen the pupils’ abilities and will- sibilities are taken into account.13 In short, judith.barben@gmx. ch • ingness to learn. Learning is always an both documents cannot be used to justify integration of new information into ex- “inclusion”. 1 In the UN-papers both terms are synonymous. isting knowledge. The more the stu- 2 Schweizer Zentrum für Heil- und Sonderpädagogik dents‘ previous knowledge in a class Resistance Berne: Was sind die Unterschiede zwischen Inte- matches, the more efficient the learning The mixture of ages and types imposed gration und Inklusion? © 2018 3 Klinke Willibald: Das Volksschulwesen des Kan- process is. Therefore, the greatest pos- top-down has met with massive resist- tons Zurich zur Zeit der Helvetik (1798-1803). sible uniformity of the class should be ance from parents and teachers. They Zürich 1907 aimed for. refuse to tolerate this irrational “school 4 Erziehungsrat des Kantons Zürich (ed.): Volks­ schule und Lehrerbildung 1832-1932. Festschrift. reform”. Joint action against the unsuit- Zürich 1933, p. 136 Without factual reason able methods has proved successful. Par- 5 “Braille” was invented by the Frenchman Louis In addition, as emphasised by professor ents’ opposition against the age mix in Braille in 1825. 6 Heller, Theodor. Grundriss der Heilpädagogik. Steiner, many of today’s school classes al- the Zurich commune of Zumikon, for Leipzig 1925, p. 462f. ready show a great heterogeneity without example, was so strong that the school 7 Lehrplan 21 (Curriculum 21): Overview, p. 3 artificial mixing. There is absolutely no authorities had to return to age-group 8 Altmeyer, S. et al. Pilotstudie zur Wirksamkeit reason to artificially implement even more classes. It will be contagious if other par- sonderpädagogischer Massnahmen in integra- tiven Regelklassen. Internationale Hochschule für heterogeneity. An unbelievable amount of ents’ groups, schools, communes or can- Heilpädagogik, Zurich 2018 precious learning time is wasted. The ex- tons begin to resist. In this way, a coun- 9 Integrationsklassen schneiden bei Leistungst- treme diversity hinders the progress of all ter movement against the unpedagogical ests schlecht ab. Integration classes perform poor- ly in performance tests. “Tages-Anzeiger” from pupils and makes class management diffi- concept of “Curriculum 21” will emerge 22.11.2017 cult. In addition, the special teachers and in Switzerland. For the concept of “inclu- 10 loc.cit. “class assistants”, who are constantly pre- sion”, which is part of “Curriculum 21”, 11 loc.cit. 12 Steiner Gerhard: Im Würgegriff des Lehrplan 21. sent in class, cause a great deal of unrest can only be prevented with a movement Universität Basel 2014 in the classes. Steiner clearly refutes the “from below”, by the citizens. 13 Bundesgerichtsurteil (Federal Court Judgement) argument that heterogeneity through “in- What are your experiences, dear read- 2C_590/2014 clusion” promotes social competence. er, with “inclusion” and age-mixed class- (Translation Current Concerns) No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 23 What good team spirit is capable of A possibly record-breaking school class by Heini Hofmann The old village school was more modest compared to today, but not as bad as mod- ernism often discredits it in retrospect, maybe it was even a better life education. The evidence of this is the example of a secondary school class whose team spir- it was so strong that, decades after gradu- ation, they were able to realise a class re- union with a class mate who emigrated to Australia when they were still at school. An almost complete class reunion at the other end of the world, that is probably record-breaking. And also the descendants of this classmate in Down Under, who now, at the age of 80, can be proud of six children, 17 grandchildren and already 17 great grandchildren! Like a big family Most of the classmates of Uetendorf Sec- ondary School near Thun who were born in 1938 and left school in 1954, now have 80 years under their belt. Of those 27, The old secondary school in Uetendorf with bell tower, to the left of it the old however, 11 have already died. At regu- primary school Berg; both do not exist anymore. (Picture FWU) lar school reunions memories are recalled of a school time, when many things were of the classroom. After a cumbersome voy- possibly Guinness record-breaking – class different: In the old secondary school on age across the Suez Canal, Vreni arrived in reunion at Vreni’s as the highlight! the Uetendorf mountain with the creaking her new home and then sent the class reg- All were still fit enough, perhaps wooden stairs and the turret, from which ularly letters with kangaroo and koala pic- thanks to break milk and forest gymnas- the eleven o’clock bell sounded, you sat at tures, and this favour was returned by the tics of yesteryear … The journey took wooden boards, wrote with pencil and ink class with letters and calendar photos from us from Sydney along the east coast via and the teacher with chalk on the black- the old homeland. However, after the school Brisbane and Cairns to Darwin and from board. No calculators, mobile phones years, this contact then ebbed away a bit. there through the middle of the conti- or computers and certainly no designer Until one day – in 1993, more than 40 nent via Alice Springs and Ayers Rock clothes, but woollen jumpers hand-knitted years after her emigration – Vreni unex- to Kangaroo Island and Adelaide – and by mother. They carried satchels, the girls pectedly turned up in Switzerland. And – from there via Singapore back home. But wore braids and aprons, the boys short the old class spirit worked: Within just 24 besides all the sightseeing and excur- hair and knickerbocker trousers. hours, an almost complete class reunion in sions and the amazement of the mighty The staff room was a wooden bench in Burgdorf near Kirchberg, the birthplace natural wonders, including the Great front of the schoolhouse, under the open of our expat-classmate, whose name now Barrier Reef, the visit to our classmate sky, even in winter! PE lessons took place was Verena Johnson-Schärer, was success- in Nabiac/NSW, counting just under 600 on a forest clearing, with rolled-up trou- fully summoned and Vreni was visibly inhabitants and located upcountry the sers and sleeves. In the break there was pleased. She brought her husband Kevin, east coast at the height of Surfers’ Para- milk; Uetendorf at that time was still a a nice Australian, and proudly showed the dise, on the sixth day of the journey, was farming village. And because this school photos of her six children (four daughters, of course the most emotional highlight also served other communities in the hill two sons) and the already large number of of our trip. country in front of the Stockhorn Moun- grandchildren. tains, the pupils - from Thierachern, Ut- Unforgettable experience tigen, Seftigen, Gurzelen, Amsoldingen, Crazy class reunion Since their retirement Vreni and Kevin Uebeschi and Höfen - came with their Everybody reminisced, joked and laughed, have been living on small self-catering bicycles or in snowy winters with their and the author jokingly suggested that the farm there, after previously operating skis, one from Höfen even with horse and next class reunion should be held in Aus- a garage in Sydney. Actually, one could sledge. For them, there was soup, bread tralia. A short silence, a soft murmur, then call it a subtropical paradise; because and apples for lunch. In short, the class suddenly from several sides a timid, then the house is surrounded by a magnifi- was like a big family; that bound together. more and more decided: “Why not?” The cent flowery park-like garden, overgrown fuse burned, and once again the class spir- by tall eucalyptus trees, where wallabies Farewell and reunion it was there: The crazy idea was adopted! (small kangaroos), wild rabbits and col- But in 1950, in the 6th grade, there was a So it happened that three years later, in ourful birds are frolicking. Around it are turning point: One day the class teacher an- September 1996, the majority of the class pastures for cattle and horses. A large nounced that Vreni Schärer would leave us (including partners) boarded the plane drinking water cistern serves to bridge the – forever. Her family migrated to Australia, with destination Sydney at Zurich Airport often extreme dry-season. that distant continent that was usually hid- – for a perfectly planned, three and a half den on the back of the globe at the front week journey through Australia with the – continued on page 24 No 15/16 13 July 2018 Current Concerns Page 24

”What good team spirit …” continued from page 23

And what a reception on arrival! Eve- ryone is standing in front of the house waving Bernese and Swiss flags. Ob- viously the old home has not been for- gotten. After eating, drinking and chat- ting, there is an unplanned climax of the journey: a digestive night walk through the dark outback. No one speaks a word, everybody listens to the strange animal sounds in field, bush and swamp. And above us the southern starry sky sparkles with the magnificent Milky Way and the Southern Cross, as we have never seen it in such intensity, because there is no light pollution. One begins to understand that Vreni has become fond of her new home here. Little epilogue Since then, Vreni with her Kevin came Class reunion in the garden of the classmate in Nabiac, Australia. (Picture HHJ) to Switzerland once more in 2004, which again was an opportunity for a spontaneous white swans. However, these illegal immi- of her husband, she came once more to the class reunion at Lake Thun, where the two grants later fared less well than our legally old homeland in 2012, accompanied by a from Down Under (then) were surprised emigrated Vreni in the land of kangaroos, son, to visit her almost 100-year-old moth- to spot Australian black swans among the koalas, and kookaburras. After the death er and participate in the 20th class reunion. On her 80th birthday, which she celebrated in Australia as the first of the class, all her Tastings from Vreni‘s Letters six children, 34 grand and great-grandchil- “My grandmother, a ‘Verdingkind’* as well. One has to reach the age of 100 dren plus relatives met, although they live (‘contract child’) from the village Seft- in order to receive a card from Queen scattered across half of the continent, 85 igen, always said that she never need- Elisabeth. That will no longer be possi- people in total. The team spirit lives on in ed to go hungry, she had enough pota- ble for me…“ the extended family! toes and vegetables but never enough “Due to the dryness, the kanga- What probably also speaks for the for- bread. Therefore we, her grandchil- roos come closer to the houses where mer village school: Even today Vreni writes dren, had to pay attention that no the grass is a bit greener. Unfortu- amazingly beautiful letters by hand in her ‘Brösmeli’ (breadcrumb) be left be- nately, many are hit by cars in search- mother tongue, which she could never use in hind, that was a sin in her eyes! If she ing for grass. Our 32 year old horse had everyday life, what is more, she writes in an had to eat bread here (in Australia), to be put to sleep by the veterinarian. it was, for her, less of a sin (to leave The first few days for his ‘son‘, also al- amusing style and almost without mistakes. breadcrumbs); because our bread is ready 23 years old, were difficult, he Think of our email “culture”! In short: the not as good as in Switzerland! But one didn‘t want to eat and simply remained old elementary school, today, from the point gets used to everything.” standing under the same tree. Now of view of permanent school reforms, often “On my 80th birthday I became great- he‘s doing better and our two dogs are ridiculed as “Pestalozzianian”, was definite- grandmother for the 17th time. Once around him often. Even animals have ly much simpler, but maybe this is why it great-grandmother and the 18th grand- feelings!“ generated close-knit communities. And no- child is already on the way. I have a dif- tabene all students have made something of ficult time remembering all the names, *Verdingkinder – children in Switzer- their lives, both professionally and physi- let alone the birth dates of everyone! land who were taken from their parents, On my Round Birthday, I received a often due to poverty and sent to live with cally, despite the inexistence of the Internet card from the Swiss Consulate in Sid- new families, often poor farmers who and the gym. This is not sentimental roman- ney and from an official in our parish needed cheap labour. ticism, just a statement. • (Translation Current Concerns)