Istanbul (dpa / lnw) - The peace ambassador and survivor of the right-wing extremist arson attack in Solingen in 1993, Mevlüde Genç, has been buried in Turkey. In addition to family members, the German ambassador to Turkey and Turkish politicians attended the funeral in the northern Turkish village of Mercimek, the state news agency Anadolu reported on Wednesday. Her body was flown to the Black Sea city of Samsun in the morning and later, wrapped in a Turkish flag, taken to the village cemetery.
Genç died on Saturday night at the age of 79. She lost five family members in the devastating arson attack by right-wing extremists in 1993. Nevertheless, she had called for reconciliation after the murderous act. According to Anadolu, the sister said at the funeral that her family knew neither hate nor revenge.
On May 29, 1993, right-wing extremists set fire to the family home in Solingen. The Genç couple lost two daughters, two granddaughters and a niece. 17 family members survived, some seriously injured.
Mevlüde Genç received the Federal Cross of Merit for her commitment to reconciliation. The NRW state government donated a Mevlüde Genç medal in her honor in 2018. It is awarded annually around the anniversary of the arson attack in Solingen on May 29th to people who have made outstanding contributions to reconciliation, tolerance and solidarity.
