We Direct This Appeal to the Conscience of the World and We Plead in the Name of Justice

Writings and Works of the Union of Stateless Victims of Fascism

Abstract

On 11 June 1945, the Verbond Van Statenloze Slachtoffers Van Het Fascisme — or the Union of Stateless Victims of Fascism (‘Union’) — was launched in Amsterdam with a meeting and manifesto. This article provides for the first time an in-depth examination of the Union’s Manifesto, as well as its leaders, aims, and activities. It explores their work which was aimed at navigating the effects of statelessness and furthering the project of attaining rights for stateless people, including their right to reject citizenship and a designation as ‘enemy aliens’. Through their writings, we come to learn how the Union were effective and assertive political communicators, writing from knowledge, experience and expertise. Recovering the history of this organisation, this article offers an important opportunity to gain insight into the political and social histories within which organisations led by and for stateless people have acted, and continue to act.