Occupation, Nazi-Hunter: The Continuing Search for the Perpetrators of the Holocaust

Zuroff is coordinator of Nazi war crimes research for the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles. This disturbing report describes his transition from Holocaust scholar to Nazi-hunter and the disappointment of his optimism: he had envisioned a steady stream of convictions. With the exception of the U.S., where suspected war criminals are tried for immigration and naturalization violations, there has been little action by governments of countries where many Nazi criminals are believed to be living. In England, the author relates, a war crimes bill was rejected by the House of Lords. In Canada, war crimes legislation was passed but has yet to yield significant results. In Australia, electoral considerations led the attorney-general to outlaw Nazi-hunting activities, in effect giving amnesty to dozens of Hitler's henchmen. The report incidentally brings into focus the major collaboration of the Latvians and Estonians in implementing the Final Solution. (Nov.)