Did Ms. Willschütz ever see her daughter again?
1
What were they arrested for?
1
The GDR was in need of workers. Before the wall came up a lot of so called "east germans" (under sowjet occupation stutus) escaped to "west-germany" ( under west alliied occupation status) to find better work and living conditions.
Then in 1961 the GDR government decides to build up the wall, explaining these to the people as a protection wall agains capitalism. In fact they build a huge prison.
Still a lot of people tried to esacped and when arrested they where send to prison for years.
Of course in Hoheneck ther where also criminal prisoners ( murders,childmurder, etc) but "escapers" where even more bad treated by criminals in prison.
Then in 1961 the GDR government decides to build up the wall, explaining these to the people as a protection wall agains capitalism. In fact they build a huge prison.
Still a lot of people tried to esacped and when arrested they where send to prison for years.
Of course in Hoheneck ther where also criminal prisoners ( murders,childmurder, etc) but "escapers" where even more bad treated by criminals in prison.
I saw these prisons when I visited St. Petersburg, Russia as they were used for the KGB prisoners.
1
That is a very moving, and timely, story. Thank you.
2
the sad thing is that cruelty can be so effective for so long a time.
and it can be so well hidden.
though, in many places now, they don't even bother to hide it.
and it can be so well hidden.
though, in many places now, they don't even bother to hide it.
1
Stop. Don't give "anyone" any ideas.
Very moving and sad, and an innovative way to tell the story that seemed to emerge from the words themselves, particularly the women's description of the loss of privacy, identity, the loss even of individual faces.
4
I hope many watch this before the AAs. Bless the free press.
These stories are chilling and horrific. Visitors to Berlin should be sure to stop by the former Stasi prison called Hohenshoenhausen -- was also used until 1990. See: http://www.Berlin.de/en/museums/3109402-3104050-gedenkstaette-berlinhohe...
2
Powerful film. Thanks for making this. It's a lesson about totalitarianism we should never forget.
4
Thank you for this story. It is horrifying and I shudder to think that this could have happened in a "civilized nation".
But then I realized that millions of people here in the US are subject to long term imprisonment in similarly inhuman conditions, such as solitary confinement, and in for-profit prisons that also generate billions.
Sometimes these people are arrested for offenses more trivial and as unjust as in this women's prison, such as Curtis Wilkerson who was given a sentence of 25 years for staling a pair of socks.
Similar things are happening right here, right now.
But then I realized that millions of people here in the US are subject to long term imprisonment in similarly inhuman conditions, such as solitary confinement, and in for-profit prisons that also generate billions.
Sometimes these people are arrested for offenses more trivial and as unjust as in this women's prison, such as Curtis Wilkerson who was given a sentence of 25 years for staling a pair of socks.
Similar things are happening right here, right now.
3
Awful, as we men are the'wolves' of men and women, and torture a weapon to break our spirit. Telling/showing what these courageous women went through must be told. Repeatedly.
1
Surely a very significant addition to the historical record.
Ravensbruck (the Nazis women's concentration camp ) comes to mind, and it was also located essentially in what became East Germany after WW II.
Now, with the like-minded folks running the totalitarian show for Mr Trump, do we -- particularly women and girls
-- need to worry about the same kind of thing happening in the US? I worry that such an eventuality may not be that far fetched any longer for the country, and we must be very vigilant (for instance about "black prisons."
Ravensbruck (the Nazis women's concentration camp ) comes to mind, and it was also located essentially in what became East Germany after WW II.
Now, with the like-minded folks running the totalitarian show for Mr Trump, do we -- particularly women and girls
-- need to worry about the same kind of thing happening in the US? I worry that such an eventuality may not be that far fetched any longer for the country, and we must be very vigilant (for instance about "black prisons."
1
Te "GDR (German Democratic Republic)," cynically referred to the Berlin Wall, as the "Anti-Fascist Wall." The local joke asked whether the wall was designed to keep the Fascists of the West from invading the East, or whether it was intended to prevent the Fascists of the East from escaping to the West. This "Doublespeak" proves that George Orwell lives!
2
I hope the executives at Apple Computer and Foxconn take note of this story...
Very important topic. Thank you. I wish the big corporations such as Ikea that profited from Prison labor in East Germany would be held accountable.
2
Thank you. This is what happens when good people do nothing. They start
With "others", most often minorities, women, the powerless. Think
About it, please.
With "others", most often minorities, women, the powerless. Think
About it, please.
3
Thank you. These stories must be told and preserved.
22
This happens after WW2 in a socialist terror-state with the name of "german democratic republic".
16 million brainwashed ex-nazis found together willing to give the whole power to the "elected" goverrment.
People who spy neighbours/members of family and sell them to the "STASI" (secret police) for a few money and privileges.
Surrounded by a wall and no access to free press/information. People ignoring basic human right.
And the worth...they're still alive and think that it was right !!
After the german reunification only a few cases came to trial.
PLEASE !!! Never forget it !!! Please !!
The last victim trying to escape from GDR was shot in the back just a couple of month before the wall came down.
His name was Chris Gueffroy he was just 18.