Brave lawyer Hans Litten: Way to the honor after 85 years!

Brave lawyer Hans Litten: Way to the honor after 85 years!

In Bad Kreuznach, the local lawyer association stimulates the naming of an even nameless path according to the brave lawyer Hans Litten. Litten, who became known in the Weimar Republic as a defender of victims of right -wing violence, tirelessly campaigned for the rights of the oppressed. But his courageous efforts ended tragically: he was murdered in the Dachau concentration camp.

Hans Achim Litten was born in Halle on June 19, 1903. He grew up in a wealthy family; His father was a Jewish convert to Lutheranism and Professor of Law. Despite his privileged origin, Litten had a tense relationship with his father, which may have contributed to his strong interest in humanitarian ideas and justice. He studied in Berlin and Munich and opened a law firm in 1928 in which he with Dr. Ludwig Barbasch worked, a friend in the environment of the Communist Party.

The promotion to the lawyer

Between 1929 and 1932, Louten defended numerous opponents of the National Socialist regime during political processes. Particularly noteworthy is the case of the Eden dance palace, in which he had promoted Adolf Hitler as a witness in 1931 and crossed him for three hours. This meant that Hitler was shaken and from then on he expressly issued not to mention Litten's name in his presence.

But brave deeds suffered serious consequences. After the Reichstag fire in February 1933, he was arrested together with other progressive lawyers and leftists. As a result, he spent five years in various concentration camps, where he was exposed to torture and terrible conditions. Despite the efforts of his mother and other prominent people who tried to get his release, suffered in captivity and finally suffered from irreparable health damage.

a tragic end

The last years of his life he spent in captivity were characterized by increasingly desolate conditions. Litten's last letter conveys a dark perspective, and in February 1938 he tragically committed suicide in Dachau. His fate has largely been unnoticed for decades, since his political beliefs did not match the post -war propaganda in the west or east.

Rhein-Zeitung reported on the initiative to name the path in Bad Kreuznach, which is intended to pass on.

suffered impressive biography is not only shaped by the lack of recognition, but also shows how important the courage to truth is in times of oppression. Further information about his life and achievements can be found on wikipedia .