News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » News » Demand to ban Nazi symbols

Demand to ban Nazi symbols

January 17, 2005 11:52 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Leading German politicians Sunday called for a ban on Nazi symbols throughout Europe after newspapers printed a picture of British Prince Harry wearing a Nazi uniform last week, report agencies.

Harry, 20, is the grandson of British Queen Elizabeth II and third in line to the throne. He was was photographed at a fancy dress party dressed up as a Nazi official with a large swastika armband.

The subsequent outrage in European nations forced him to apologize for his gaffe in a written statement Thursday.

Seeking a ban on Nazi symbols not only in Germany, but also everywhere in Europe, General Secretary of the Christian Social Party, Markus Soeder told the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag that "in a Europe of peace and freedom, there should be no place for Nazi symbols."

"Nazi symbols must be banned both in Germany and other parts of Europe," agreed Deputy president of the Social Democratic Party (SPD)'s parliamentary group, Michael Mueller.

Deputy president of the Christian Union Party Wolfgang Bosbach was quoted as saying that European justice ministers are likely to discuss the issue of banning Nazi symbols across Europe.

"Nazi symbols are unbearable for the victims of the Nazi regime," he said.

"The whole Europe once suffered the crime of the Nazis. It will be thorough only when Nazi symbols are banned in the whole Europe," said Deputy chairman of the Free Democratic Party's parliamentary group, Silvana Koch-Mehrin.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
AGENCIES