The expert discussion "Corporate Criminal Responsibility, from I.G. Farben to Lafarge Syria" on 17 September 2024 was part of the finissage of the temporary exhibition “I.G. Farben and the Buna-Monowitz concentration camp”, by the Fritz Bauer Institute at the Memorium Nuremberg Trials. It delved into the evolution and implications of holding corporations accountable for their involvement in international crimes.
By examining historical cases like I.G. Farben's complicity in the Holocaust and juxtaposing them with contemporary instances such as Lafarge's support of armed groups in Syria, this event highlighted the persistent and critical issue of corporate criminal responsibility. The event underscored the ongoing legal and ethical challenges in prosecuting corporations alongside individuals for crimes against humanity. It reflected on the precedents set by the Nuremberg Trials, which primarily focused on individual accountability and explored the modern landscape where corporations wield significant influence and can greatly impact human rights and conflict dynamics. Our goal is to foster dialogue on the necessity of robust legal frameworks to ensure justice and accountability in an increasingly globalised world.
The event started with an optional one-hour tour of the exhibition in Cube 600 at 4.30 pm, presented in German. The expert discussion followed at 5.30 pm in Courtroom 600 of the Nuremberg Palace of Justice, conducted in English. Please find the programme below. (ak)
Photo: I.G. Farben's plant, near Auschwitz, Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-2007-0058 / CC-BY-SA 3.0
