Robert Faurisson, English-French author and academic
Robert Faurisson: A Figure of Holocaust Denial
Robert Faurisson (French: [foʁisɔ̃]), born Robert Faurisson Aitken on January 25, 1929, and passing away on October 21, 2018, was a British-born French academic. Originally a professor of French literature at the Université Lumière Lyon 2, he tragically became internationally known not for his academic pursuits but for his controversial and widely condemned role as a prominent proponent of Holocaust denial.
The Core of His Controversy: Holocaust Denial
Holocaust denial refers to the act of denying the systematic genocidal persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators during World War II. Faurisson's assertions directly challenged this indisputable historical consensus, which is supported by overwhelming evidence including survivor testimonies, historical documents, and perpetrator confessions.
Faurisson extensively disseminated his highly controversial views through various channels. He published numerous articles, most notably in the *Journal of Historical Review*, a publication widely recognized for promoting Holocaust denial and various revisionist theories that seek to distort historical facts. Furthermore, he actively engaged with mainstream media by sending letters to prominent French newspapers, particularly *Le Monde*, a highly respected daily, using these platforms to propagate his claims and incite public debate.
Specific Claims and Their Impact
Faurisson's arguments fundamentally contradicted established Holocaust history, aiming to undermine the facts of the genocide. His key denials included:
- The existence of gas chambers in Nazi death camps: He asserted that these facilities, which were central to the systematic extermination process, were not used for homicidal purposes.
- The systematic killing of European Jews using gas during the Second World War: He disputed the industrial scale of the genocide and the highly organized method by which millions of innocent people were murdered.
- The authenticity of *The Diary of Anne Frank*: A poignant and widely recognized victim testimony, Faurisson questioned its veracity, aligning with other deniers who seek to delegitimize foundational Holocaust narratives and victim accounts.
These claims generated widespread outrage and significant controversy, facing condemnation from mainstream historians, Jewish organizations, human rights advocates, and governments worldwide for their blatant disregard of historical truth and their underlying anti-Semitic implications.
Legal Repercussions and Academic Dismissal: The Gayssot Act
The severity and public nature of Faurisson's denialist assertions in France led to legislative action. Following the passing of the Gayssot Act in 1990, a landmark piece of French legislation, Faurisson faced severe legal consequences. This act specifically makes it a crime to contest the existence of crimes against humanity as they were defined by the Charter of the International Military Tribunal of Nuremberg in 1945, which unequivocally includes the Holocaust.
Under this new law, Faurisson was prosecuted and subsequently faced multiple convictions and fines for his persistent denialist assertions. His continued propagation of these views also directly led to his dismissal from his academic post in 1991, effectively ending his career as a university professor. This dismissal underscored the French state's firm stance against historical revisionism concerning the Holocaust and its commitment to upholding historical memory and justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Holocaust denial?
- Holocaust denial is the act of denying the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators during World War II. It often includes claims that the Holocaust did not happen, that the number of Jewish victims was significantly exaggerated, or that gas chambers were not used for mass extermination.
- What was the Gayssot Act?
- The Gayssot Act, passed in France in 1990, is a specific law that makes it illegal to deny or dispute the existence of crimes against humanity as they were defined by the International Military Tribunal of Nuremberg in 1945. This legislation was enacted to specifically target Holocaust denial, making its public propagation a criminal offense in France.
- Why was Robert Faurisson dismissed from his academic post?
- Robert Faurisson was dismissed from his position as a professor of French literature in 1991 following his repeated convictions under the Gayssot Act. His dismissal was a direct consequence of his persistent public propagation of Holocaust denial, which became illegal in France with the enactment of this specific law aimed at combating historical revisionism.