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SNCF and spoliation Press release | Letter of Harriet Tamen, Esq
In a decision made in June 2006, an Administrative Tribunal in Toulouse France held the French National Railroad (SNCF), and the French Republic responsible in the arrest and deportation of Jews. As a result of that decision, more than 600 persons have sent letters seeking indemnification from SNCF and the Republic. These demands are based on the pain and suffering they, or their family members, experienced as a result of the arrest of their families, then their deportation in inhuman conditions to the Nazi death camps. The Tribunal, basing its decision on a report requisitioned by SNCF, stated that SNCF systematically billed for 3rd class trains - sending bills even after the Liberation of Paris. At the same SNCF used cattle wagons to deport the victims, and its agents themselves closed all windows and doors, and provided neither water, food nor minimal sanitary facilities. The victims and their families are demanding more than 125,000,000 euros for more than 700 claimants (including more than 100 survivors), for the trains and the time they spent in camps in France. More than 400 of them are participating in a class action law suit introduced in New York in March 2006. That action is seeking the restitution of assets seized by the Republic in the camps and by SNCF on the trains. For further information: In New York: In Paris: As you may know, on June 6, an administrative court in Toulouse, France, issued a decision against SNCF and the Republic of France for the deportation of Jews during WWII. We are working with French counsel to protect your rights in France by filing the appropriate letters as required by the French court decision. France does not recognize class actions, so we will file individual demands. We need your written agreement for us to authorize French counsel to proceed. The timing and the content of the letters are crucial. We want to protect your rights in France but also to protect your rights in the class action suit in NY. Coordinating both gives us the best chance of success. Please give us the authorization to engage Corinne Hershkovitch, a lawyer in Paris, to send letters seeking indemnification and damages from SNCF and from the Republic of France arising from the inhuman conditions you or your family members suffered during the arrests and deportations by the French authorities and SNCF. Charges for this step will be borne by counsel. If the Republic or SNCF do not respond affirmatively to the letters, we will consider beginning legal proceedings before the appropriate administrative tribunal in France. We will obtain your prior authorization to do so and will not take further action without a written agreement. An immediate response would be appreciated. You can , sign this letter, or send us a fax. Also, if you will be on vacation between July 15 and August 15, please send us a phone number where we can reach you. Our phone number: 00 1 212 583 14 53 We will be filing only one letter per family and will need the following information following the decision in Toulouse: 1. Name of person making the demand and relationship to victims. (For example, if you are not making the demand for yourself, are you the son, daughter, spouse, etc.) 2. Names of all other surviving heirs - brothers, sisters, cousins, etc. 3. Name of each victim; if victim deceased, details such as date, place and circumstances (ie on a train, in a camp in France, etc.) 4. For each victim: 5. Convoy number and date for those deported
Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions.
Thank you. Yours truly, |
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