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As the world reflects on the events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched its attacks in Israel, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to facilitating the release of hostages and achieving a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. Guterres emphasized the importance of these goals, asserting, “since the beginning we have asked for the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages.”
Each year, on the anniversary of the liberation of concentration camps in 1945, global observances honor the memory of the six million Jews who lost their lives during the Holocaust, along with the Roma and Sinti communities, individuals with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ persons, and all others who endured the systematic violence perpetrated by the Nazi regime.
Lessons must never be forgotten
Speaking in the General Assembly Hall alongside Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, Guterres highlighted the critical importance of remembrance and the need to ensure the Holocaust’s lessons remain ingrained in global consciousness. This year’s observance represents a significant milestone, marking 80 years since the end of the Holocaust and eight decades dedicated to honoring its victims.
Guterres acknowledged the bravery of survivors who share their experiences to prevent the atrocities of places like Auschwitz-Birkenau from fading into obscurity. He stressed that the duty of remembrance extends to everyone, declaring, “Remembrance is not only a moral act – remembrance is a call to action.”
Combat hatred
The United Nations continues its fight against hate speech, reinforcing the need for education to inform future generations about the Holocaust’s horrors. Drawing on the words of Holocaust survivor and noted writer Primo Levi, Guterres urged collective action against hate, encouraging individuals to “speak up against hate,” advocate for universal human rights, and transform those rights into reality.
Defend human rights
The UN’s dedication to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, established post-Holocaust in 1948, underscores the commitment to recognizing the inherent dignity and equality of all people. Guterres referred to this declaration as a “pure expression of our shared humanity,” and noted its vital role during challenging times.
He added, “80 years since the Holocaust’s end, antisemitism is still with us—fuelled by the same lies and loathing that made the Nazi genocide possible. And it is rising.” The UN’s proactive measures against Holocaust denial and hatred are reflected in its recently launched Action Plan on Antisemitism, aimed at promoting education and countering historical distortion.
In calling for collective condemnation of antisemitism, Guterres emphasized that upholding the truth and fostering education are crucial in our current divided climate. “We will never forget. And we will never waver in that fight,” he concluded, leaving the podium to Holocaust survivors who were present to share their testimonies.
Prayer for peace
President Herzog articulated the stark reality facing Israel today, stating, “Acknowledging that challenging our right to exist is not diplomacy, it is plain antisemitism.” Speaking from the General Assembly, he expressed his belief that the nation, having risen from its past tragedies, aims not to perpetuate violence but to foster healing and light.
He voiced hope for peace agreements within the region, envisioning coexistence among Israelis and Palestinians. “On this historic day,” Herzog called for unity to combat hatred and to collaboratively build a brighter future, reiterating the vow that “what happened once will never happen again.”
Roma survivor
Dumitru Miclescu, a Roma Holocaust survivor, shared his poignant story at the ceremony in the General Assembly Hall. Supported by his niece Izabela Tiberiade, he declared, “I am here not just for myself, but for all the Roma who suffered during the Holocaust and did not have the chance to be heard.” Miclescu recounted his harrowing experience as an eight-year-old boy in Romania, where he and his family faced deportation to concentration camps.
Building a world without racism
Reflecting on his early years, Miclescu recalled, “I will never forget those moments when we were gathered into the trains. Many people died on the trains before we even arrived.” He described the agonies endured at concentration camps, pointing to forced labor, starvation, and pervasive suffering as constant realities. Miclescu noted the lack of acknowledgment for the few Roma who survived and returned home, stressing the importance of recognizing history as vital for the future.
He urged younger generations to understand their history and work toward creating a world devoid of racism, concluding with a heartfelt appeal to his audience.
Never forget
Marianne Muller, a baby during the Holocaust, also delivered a powerful message, accompanied by her children and grandchildren, referring to them as “my personal answer to Hitler.” Muller highlighted the alarming rise of antisemitism globally and reminded everyone that the Holocaust’s horrors are only 80 years in the past.
‘Don’t be neutral towards human suffering’
Nazi death camp survivor Ivan Lefkovits marked Holocaust Remembrance Day in Geneva by sharing his harrowing experiences, emphasizing the importance of not remaining neutral towards human suffering. Reflecting on the tragic loss of his father and brother to Nazi brutality, the 88-year-old Lefkovits underscored the obedience of many European countries to Hitler’s ideology.
After his own harrowing journey through Ravensbrück and Bergen-Belsen, he urged the younger generations to study history—not merely to learn facts but to understand the implications of what happened during the Holocaust.
Source
news.un.org