E/CN.4/1996/72 page 20 Annex I ALLEGATIONS RELATING TO RACIST INCIDENTS IN GERMANY AND OBSERVATIONS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF GERMANY 1. In 1995 the Special Rapporteur received allegations from a number of sources concerning incidents which took place in Germany and which might have been racially motivated. Fifteen cases were transmitted to the Government of Germany for its observations. a/ 2. The summaries of the allegations and the observations of the Government of Germany are set out below. Case No. 1995/1 Allegations Place: Verl Date: 24 November 1994 3. It has been reported that an arson attack was made on a Turkish-owned guesthouse near Guetersloh on 24 November 1994. Three people were killed and six others were injured. Three of the injured suffered very serious burns. 4. It is alleged that this incident had racist motivations. Observations 5. The facts of the case are confirmed. The investigations have however not revealed any indications of a xenophobic offence. The fact that the fire broke out inside the house, on the second floor, and that the guest rooms are used by individuals of different nationality, particularly from Northern Europe, counters the argument of racially motivated arson. Those who died were one Polish woman, one Bulgarian man and one German man. 6. The investigations of the competent public prosecution office are being pursued on the basis of negligent homicide and concern the owners and operators of the hotel/restaurant. a/ Letters from the Special Rapporteur to the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations Office at Geneva, dated 24 May and 15 September 1995.