Public and Commercial Services Union

'We have been inspired by the time, support and commitment of PCS members', Holocaust Memorial Day Trust

27 January is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz- Birkenau and is an opportunity to remember the millions of people who lost their lives during the Holocaust and genocides in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur.

Branches have been encouraged to mark the day and sent campaign packs with materials and ideas for events.

Yesterday the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust hosted their official event in London for 2012. It was attended by Holocaust survivors, genocide survivors and poeple from all backgrounds who work to raise awareness of these issues and stop these crimes against humanity happening again.  

During the event, specific mention was made of public sector workers who frustrated the horrific work of the Nazis by using their positions to save jews and others escaping persecution and death.

One story that stood out was that of Paul Gruninger.  

After Germany’s annexation of Austria in 1938, the Swiss government announced that they were closing the border to Austrian Jews.  Thousands of Jews were trapped in Austria,  facing devastating anti-semitic measures.

The role of enforcing the blockade was given to Swiss border police and officials.  Paul Grüninger was one such official and when the blockade was announced he protested vigorously.

When it became clear that such protests were falling on deaf ears, Paul returned to his post, but he spoke out by disregarding the order. 

Between August 1938 and April 1939, Grüninger permitted the entry of over 3,000 Austrian Jews into Switzerland.  He issued backdated visas, ignored falsified papers and even summoned concentration camp prisoners to Switzerland with legal writs, which allowed them to escape. 

Paul was dismissed from his post and convicted of fraud, for which he was sentenced to jail.  After the war ended, his criminal record meant he struggled to get employment and ultimately he died in poverty with his heroism unknown.. 

Today, however Paul Grüninger has been recognised as one of the ‘Righteous Among the Nations’ and streets, and even a football stadium, have been named after him.

It is a lesson to us all when doing anti fascist and anti rascist work - we must speak up, speak out.