British historian sentenced to 3 years for denying Holocaust

British historian David Irving was sentenced in Austria to three years in prison after pleading guilty on Monday to charges of denying the Holocaust, saying he erred in contending there were no Nazi gas chambers during the Second World War.

Irving could have received a 10-year prison term. Under Austrian law, it is a crime to publicly diminish, deny or justify the Holocaust.

http://www.cbc.ca/storyview/MSN/world/national/2006/02/20/irving-holocaust060220.html

Some things still just can't be justified, thats the nice thing about European law!

There'S nothing nice about this. It is sad actually. Certainly the Historian is wrong, but I think he has the right to deny it if he wants, he shouldn't be imprisoned. Oh and Whirly, everything is justifiable.

I think its bullshit, sure the holocaust was real and denying it sucks and all, but people should be allowed to do it. No matter what it implies, freedom of speech and all. As long as the guy isn't trying to cause a new holocaust he really wasn't doing anything wrong.

Originally posted by Bardock42
There'S nothing nice about this. It is sad actually. Certainly the Historian is wrong, but I think he has the right to deny it if he wants, he shouldn't be imprisoned. Oh and Whirly, everything is justifiable.

Not in Austria, Where are you from Marius? 😉 I think three years is a little strong though, however it just shows the pain many still feel over these events, including the Austrian nation.

Originally posted by Sir Whirlysplat
Not in Austria, Where are you from Marius? 😉 I think three years is a little strong though, however it just shows the pain many still feel over these events, including the Austrian nation.

Even in Austria, that is not a Law thing, everything as a fact is justifiable.

Well I won't deny there is pain and that is justified as well, but Freedom of Speech should be more important especially as the Historian didn't harm anybody.

My recollection on the event is a little hazy - did he actually make these comments while in Austria?

And what other places have laws like this? Does Israel, for example, or Germany itself? Or Poland? Or many others? Nations and people who suffered just as much, if not more, then Austria?

Originally posted by Imperial_Samura
My recollection on the event is a little hazy - did he actually make these comments while in Austria?

And what other places have laws like this? Does Israel, for example, or Germany itself? Or Poland? Or many others? Nations and people who suffered just as much, if not more, then Austria?

He made the comments in a book tour of Austria

Originally posted by Bardock42
Even in Austria, that is not a Law thing

Yes it is he just got 3 years, you're Austrian right?

Originally posted by Imperial_Samura
My recollection on the event is a little hazy - did he actually make these comments while in Austria?

And what other places have laws like this? Does Israel, for example, or Germany itself? Or Poland? Or many others? Nations and people who suffered just as much, if not more, then Austria?

I can't even tell you. It might be a crime here too though.

Originally posted by Sir Whirlysplat
He made the comments in a book tour of Austria

Yes it is he just got 3 years, you're Austrian right?

I didn't say that one doesn't get punished for it in Austria, I said it is justifiable, I can prove it you, meet me in Vienna in an hour I will justify the Holocaust.

Originally posted by Bardock42
I didn't say that one doesn't get punished for it in Austria, I said it is justifiable, I can prove it you, meet me in Vienna in an hour I will justify the Holocaust.

I would not want to see you get 3 years 🙂 added to which I am at work!

Originally posted by Sir Whirlysplat
I would not want to see you get 3 years 🙂 added to which I am at work!

Yeah, that would suck, so lets not Justify it for now.
And what the hell are you doing on KMC at work?

Originally posted by Bardock42
There'S nothing nice about this. It is sad actually. Certainly the Historian is wrong, but I think he has the right to deny it if he wants, he shouldn't be imprisoned. Oh and Whirly, everything is justifiable.

In Germany, you can go to prison for up to 3 years for mass-producing Hitler's picture or displaying a single likeness in a way that glorifies him, or for denying the Holocaust.

My opinion? The importance of free speech balances on a fragile line with social harmony. Ultimately, I'd rather err on the side of freedom.

Originally posted by Bardock42
Yeah, that would suck, so lets not Justify it for now.
And what the hell are you doing on KMC at work?

😂 I'm marking some extremely poor papers on Gas Chromatography and I am bored!! Nice thing about the kind of marking I do, I don't have to worry to much about spellings, just the practical, background and conclusion etc.

Is there any reason inparticual that hes denying the Holocaust happened? Is there any way his words were twisted or taken out of context? (not trying to defend the guy, just want to know if hes got a reason for saying this or if he is just really, really stupid....)

Originally posted by Hit_and_Miss
Is there any reason inparticual that hes denying the Holocaust happened? Is there any way his words were twisted or taken out of context? (not trying to defend the guy, just want to know if hes got a reason for saying this or if he is just really, really stupid....)

Nope and justification of the Holocaust is also illegal in many countries in Europe including Austria and Germany. 🙂

Wonder why he said something so idiotic then... Possibly trying to get publicity with all the white supremacists out there??

Originally posted by Hit_and_Miss
Wonder why he said something so idiotic then... Possibly trying to get publicity with all the white supremacists out there??

probably. This was my original point which some people misunderstood, to many hate crimes cannot be justified and in many countries to a point our own included it's law. Race relations law has been used recently against BNP members for a similar purpose.

f*** him.

you're next mel gibson

Originally posted by Imperial_Samura
And what other places have laws like this? Does Israel, for example, or Germany itself? Or Poland? Or many others? Nations and people who suffered just as much, if not more, then Austria?

Mel gibson??? Thou I'm not a fan, whats he done???

Why is denial of the holocaust such a crime??? Though it takes a huge amount of idiocy to do so, people are still free to deny that 1+1 equals 2 and people can deny that we have been to the moon... (even though alot of astronaughts died trying) Is this a little harsh?? Hes just an idiot... Should we not treat all idiots the same??? lock up all those who say something stupid??