Deportation Restitution Claims Against SNCF French Railways

September 19, 2006

Deportation Restitution Claims Against SNCF French Railways

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:

—Stephen Rodd,  Esq.
1 212 889 3700
 
—Harriet Tamen,  Esq.
1 212 583 1453
 
• In Paris:   

—Corinne Hershkovitch,  Esq.
011 33 1 44 91 97  94

—Dr.Shimon Samuels
Simon Wiesenthal Centre
011 33 147208401