Balder Ex-Libris

Author : Anonymous
Title : Background and Detailed Chronology of Ernst Zuendel Persecution
Year : 1996

Link download : Background_and_Detailed_Chronology_of_Ernst_Zuendel_Persecution.zip

Ernst Zündel was born in Germany on April 24, 1939. At the age of nineteen he entered Canada for permanent residence on September 2, 1958. On January 25, 1968, he applied for Canadian citizenship. He was informed that the application had been rejected by the Minister without reasons by letter dated August 27, 1968. He was told only that: "The information on which the decision was based is confidential and it would not be in the public interest to reveal it." He applied in 1988 under the Privacy Act for the reason why his application for citizenship was refused. This application for information was unsuccessful and is currently under appeal to the Federal Court of Canada. Zündel applied for Canadian citizenship a second time on October 24, 1993. This application resulted in a Ministerial report pursuant to s. 19(2) from the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada which alleged that there were reasonable grounds to believe that Zündel would engage in activity that constitutes a threat to the security of Canada. This opinion was based on information and advice provided by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service which alleged that the activities Zündel will engage in are described in s. 2(a) of the CSIS Act. In a column published July 27, 1994, Toronto Sun writer Christie Blatchford revealed that Zündel had applied for citizenship and that the Canadian Jewish Congress had been aware "for some time" of the application. Blatchford wondered how the privacy laws did not prevent the CJC from being told by the government of Zündel's application. She quoted an official from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration as stating: "The government is going to try very hard to deny it." B'nai Brith issued a statement that Zündel did not deserve citizenship and should be extradited to Germany instead. "This man does not deserve the privilege of Canadian citizenship. Not only would this be an affront to minority communities throughout Canada, but it would send a message to hatemongers the world over that Canada is a haven for racism." (Montreal Gazette, July 28, 1994) The Canadian Jewish Congress stated that Zündel should not receive citizenship because of his convictions in Germany and because he was under investigation in Canada for promoting hatred. He indicated that the CJC had again requested that charges be laid against Zündel. (Canadian Jewish News, August 4, 1994) Zündel's personal history in Canada was reviewed accurately in a presentence report prepared after his first "false news" conviction in 1985 by Probation and Parole Officer Karl Nicolson: "Mr. Zündel was born in Calmbach in Germany (West) on April 24, 1939. The subject's father (now deceased 1969) was a lumberjack and his mother was and is a homemaker. Mr. Zündel has 4 sisters all living in West Germany and a brother who is an attorney in California. He maintains regular contact with his family. Mr. Zündel's father was drafted into the army shortly after the beginning of World War II, as a result the subject saw little of his father as a child. When he returned permanently to the family home in 1947, he was, according to the subject an alcoholic. Mr. Zündel stated that throughout the war years and thereafter his mother provided much of the structure and support for the family. Mr. Zündel stated his earliest memories are connected with war time privations, and the early post war occupation by the French army. The subject attended school in Calmbach, graduated in 1957 and applied for permission to immigrate to Canada. He stated that he left Germany in 1958 because as a pacifist he objected to serving in the German Army. Mr. Zündel arrived in Canada in 1958 and quickly found work as a graphic artist in the advertising field. He met his wife Janick (Larouche) while attending night school shortly after arriving in Canada. The couple were married in 1959. Mr. Zündel has two children Pierre and Hans born in 1960 and 1967 respectively. Pierre is completing his Masters Degree in Forest Sciences at the University of Toronto and the younger son will enter University this year. Mr. Zündel and his wife separated in 1975. According to both parties the relationship was strained for some years because of the controversy surrounding Mr. Zündel's 'historical' publications. Mrs. Zündel nee (Larouche) stated the separation was her idea, because of her husband's refusal to end, what she referred to as his 'political activities' which she stated resulted in continuous harassment of the family. She was, she said, particularly concerned, regarding threats made to her children. Ms. (Larouche) noted that she and her husband remain good friends and that he has continued to support and spend a good deal of time with her sons since the separation. She further noted that during their life together Mr. Zündel was a 'good husband' as well as being a 'kind and loving' father, who never attempted to force his views on her or the children. ...