Greater educational efforts, stronger condemnation of anti-Semitism truest way to commemorate victims of the Holocaust, OSCE officials say

WARSAW, 25 January 2018 – Enhanced educational efforts and stronger condemnation of anti-Semitism and all forms of intolerance must be part of any commemoration of the Holocaust, OSCE officials said ahead of Sunday’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), and Rabbi Andrew Baker, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Anti-Semitism, stressed in a statement today that this was the truest way to commemorate the victims of genocide under the Nazi regime.

“We cannot forget the genocide of Europe’s Jews and of all the victims of the Nazi regime. Millions were killed simply because of who they were,” Gisladottir said. “As we commemorate the victims of the Holocaust, we must recommit ourselves to taking action against anti-Semitism. Governments and civil society must work together to address anti-Semitism and all forms of intolerance and discrimination, to ensure we will never again witness such atrocities.”

Underlining the need for such work, Rabbi Baker stressed that this must come in the form of concrete, comprehensive measures.

“Our remembrance on this Holocaust Commemoration Day must also be a call to action. Anti-Semitic incidents are increasing, Jewish communities are fearful of attacks and uncertain about their future,” he said. “We know where hatred, prejudice and anti-Semitism can lead. But knowing alone is not enough. This must be coupled with strong and comprehensive measures – including security and education – and a commitment that ‘Never Again’ is not an empty phrase but our guiding principle.”

Gísladóttir also stressed the importance of education: “We need to make sure that the history of the Holocaust is taught in every school, in every country, so that our children learn the importance of open and tolerant, democratic and inclusive societies, based on respect for human rights.”

“It is also important to honour those who had the courage to act and protect Jews, Roma and Sinti and other victims of the Nazi regime. Their individual acts of heroism are a powerful example of the ability each of us has to do good in the face of unspeakable evil,” the ODIHR Director added. “The Holocaust provides the strongest example of unbridled prejudice. Each and every one of us, especially those in positions of authority, must take responsibility for addressing anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance.”

Gísladóttir and Rabbi Baker will be speaking at a conference on combating anti-Semitism in the OSCE region, which is being organized by Slovakia, as the 2019 OSCE Chair, in consultation with ODIHR. The conference will take place in Bratislava on 5 and 6 February.