SIR GEOFFREY LAWRENCE ON THE NUREMBERG DEFENDANTS [PRO DEATH PENALTY QUOTE OF THE WEEK ~ SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014 TO SATURDAY AUGUST 30, 2014]

 

Geoffrey Lawrence

There were, I suppose, three possible courses: to let the atrocities which had been committed go unpunished; to put the perpetrators to death or punish them by executive action; or to try them. Which was it to be? Was it possible to let such atrocities go unpunished? Could France, could Russia, could Holland, Belgium, Norway, Czechoslovakia, Poland or Yugoslavia be expected to consent to such a course? ... It will be remembered that after the first world war alleged criminals were handed over to be tried by Germany, and what a farce that was! The majority got off and such sentences as were inflicted were derisory and were soon remitted.

—Geoffrey Lawrence

5 December 1946