Dutch politician calls Nuremberg trials “illegitimate”

The leader of a Dutch Party that has two seats in the country’s Parliament, has provoked outrage by stating that the trials against Nazi leaders in Nuremberg after World War II were “illegitimate”.

Thierry Baudet, who leads the Forum for Democracy Party, was addressing a rally in the town of Gouda, ahead of the 17th March General Election, when he was asked about the notion of prosecuting the Mayor of Amsterdam for alleged police brutality. He said that he was “no supporter of retroactive punitive legal action” adding: “I consider the Nuremberg trials as illegitimate. You shouldn’t retroactively judge people.”

Political rivals and a Dutch antisemitism watchdog said that Mr Baudet’s remark was “shocking”.

The Nuremberg trials led to the conviction of prominent members of the leadership of Nazi Germany, who planned, carried out or participated in the Holocaust and other war crimes.

Mr Baudet recently resigned as Leader after the Party’s youth division became embroiled in a scandal over antisemitism, but he has since returned as Leader after an apparent split in the Party.

Campaign Against Antisemitism has expanded our coverage of antisemitism worldwide. Please contact us if you would like to share feedback or volunteer to assist with this project.