Berlin unveils memorial for Ufuk Şahin 37 years after racist murder
A memorial stone for Ufuk Şahin has been unveiled in Berlin, 37 years after his murder. The 24-year-old was stabbed to death outside his home in the Märkisches Viertel on May 12, 1989. His final words, ‘I am a human, you are a human. So what’s this all about?’, are now engraved at the scene of the crime. Şahin was killed after confronting a group who hurled racist insults at him. The attack took place in a neighbourhood known as a far-right stronghold, where Die Republikaner held significant influence at the time. His killer received a five-year prison sentence, but the court did not acknowledge racism as a motive.
In the days following the murder, Şahin’s relatives, friends, and neighbours organised protests. Yet, for decades, his case remained largely unrecorded in official statistics on racially motivated violence. Activists and family members continued to push for recognition of the crime’s racist nature. The newly unveiled memorial stone serves as a reminder of Şahin’s life and a call to confront racism. It coincides with the first presentation of the Ufuk Şahin Award on May 11, 2023. The award honours individuals and groups working against discrimination.
The memorial ensures Şahin’s story is no longer forgotten. His final words now stand as a challenge to ongoing racism in society. The stone and the award aim to keep his legacy alive while encouraging further action against hate.
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