FUEN supports the action “Bautzen against the arsonists - Budyšin přećiwo zapalerjam”

Over the past week, the eastern German town of Bautzen/Budyšin has been all over the news because of a fire in an accommodation for refugees.

“The night of the fire, Bautzen/Budyšin lost some of its colour and open-mindedness!”, according to the chair of Domowina, David Statnik. FUEN regrets this and condemns every form of discrimination and violence against refugees and minorities. 

In this context FUEN President Hans Heinrich Hansen states:

"FUEN has a close connection with the town, not just because presidium members and staff have a personal relation. Many of our members know Bautzen/Budyšin from their experiences and visits to the bilingual region of Lusatia. If you visit the Sorbs, you cannot avoid Bautzen/Budyšin. We know the town as friendly host of our European congresses and meetings of the minorities. We remember the final match of the European Football Championship EUROPEADA, which enthused the whole regions in 2012.

We hope that the town of Bautzen and the land of Saxony succeeds in engaging in an open dialogue and to regain its positive image. We, FUEN, would like to come back as guests once again.”

Photos: demonstration for a colourful Bautzen/Budyšin, European football championship for minorities EUROPEADA 2012, demonstration for a colourful Bautzen/Budyšin (Source 1, 3: Minderheitensekretariat)

David Statnik, the chair of our member organisation Domowina, Federation of Lusatian Sorbs, wrote the following statement:

We have to say “stop” to the arsonists and instigators

The fire in the roof of the former hotel “Husarenhof” in Bautzen during the night of 20 to 21 February, which was and still is designated to become an accommodation for refugees, has made us clear that this is not a way to engage in a political discussion! This is a political arson attack and this is plain contempt for the basic human values of our society! Also the behaviour of some of the bystanders was disgraceful: they verbally attacked the fire-fighters, hindered their work and were shouting right-wing slogans. It cannot be permitted that our beautiful town becomes the playground for such contemptuous and brutal acts. That night, Bautzen/Budyšin lost some of its colour and open-mindedness! I am not sure of the perpetrators are aware of the damage they inflicted on our town.

It is therefore high time to counter these acts with a widely supported commitment in favour of democracy and tolerance. We stand up for an open society and for tolerance towards other people, as we decided at our General Assembly. We want that people – both those who were born here and those who are new residents – feel secure with us; that they are taken seriously and are accepted. Dissatisfaction and an increasing readiness to use violence of some individuals shall not make people duck away or retreat. On the contrary: politicians, representatives of municipalities, inhabitants, workers, jobless, refugees and school students all should take this situation as a challenge on which we have to work together. Every one of us can make a contribution and clean up this mess we are in now.

David Statnik, Chair of Domowina, Federation of Lusatian Sorbs