Answer:
The push to prosecute more Nazis in the early 2000s was driven by several factors.
Unfinished justice: Many Nazis who participated in war crimes and genocide during World War II had escaped justice or received lenient sentences after the war due to various reasons, such as lack of evidence, political considerations, or legal loopholes. As time passed, there was a growing sense of unfinished justice, and efforts were made to hold accountable those who had committed heinous crimes during the Holocaust.
Aging perpetrators: With the passage of time, the surviving perpetrators of Nazi war crimes were becoming increasingly elderly and frail. There was a sense of urgency to bring them to justice before they passed away, as it was believed that the victims and their families deserved closure and accountability, and that the perpetrators should not be able to evade justice due to old age or health issues.
Legal advancements: Over the years, there were legal advancements that facilitated the prosecution of Nazi war criminals. For example, the establishment of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in the 1990s set important precedents for international criminal law, and there was increased international cooperation in bringing war criminals to trial.
Historical significance: The Holocaust and the crimes committed by the Nazis during World War II were some of the most egregious acts of genocide and mass atrocities in human history. Bringing the remaining perpetrators to justice was seen as an important step in acknowledging and addressing the historical significance of these crimes, and sending a clear message that such acts would not be tolerated.
Moral imperative: Many believed that prosecuting more Nazis was a moral imperative to ensure accountability for the victims and to prevent similar atrocities from occurring in the future. It was seen as a duty to remember the victims and honor their memory by holding the perpetrators accountable, regardless of the passage of time.
Overall, the push to prosecute more Nazis in the early 2000s was driven by a combination of factors, including the pursuit of unfinished justice, the aging of perpetrators, legal advancements, historical significance, and a moral imperative to acknowledge and address the crimes committed during the Holocaust.