27 January is Holocaust Remembrance Day. We commemorate the six million Jewish women, men and children as well as all other victims murdered during the Holocaust.

We took part in the UN commemoration ceremony for all victims of the Holocaust. In her opening remarks, Ambassador Knudsen stated that “Europe has no place for hate. All EU Member States stand united in taking a strong stance against any form of racism, antisemitism and hatred, bearing in mind our historical responsibility in promoting and protecting the rights of each individual.” 

The Holocaust was without doubt the darkest moment of European history and our European Union has been built on the premise of “Never again”. After the Nazi regime and its allies tried to destroy Europe’s diversity, we embraced this diversity and made it the foundation of our European Union.

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The highlight of the ceremony was the personal testimony of Holocaust survivor, Ms Emma Adjadj. Together with Ms Adjadj, Director-General Tatiana Valovaya and Ms. Meirav Eilon Shahar (Permanent Representative of Israel to the UN in Geneva), Ambassador Lotte Knudsen lit a candle in remembrance of the victims.

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Emma Adjadj travelled - despite her old age - all the way from Marseille to share her memories of fleeing the Nazis during the war and of losing her mother and three siblings, who were sent to Auschwitz.

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The ceremony was rounded by two musical interludes from the baroque ensemble Kaïros.

In October 2021, the EU presented its first ever strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life. We are committed to see Jewish life thriving in Europe in all its diversity. A central pillar of the new European strategy is education, research and Holocaust remembrance:

• Education about the horrors of the past,
• Research that looks into the future &
• Remembrance as a cornerstone of our Union.

Last week, the UN General Assembly adopted a new resolution on Holocaust Denial by consensus. All EU Member States stand united behind this important resolution and we applaud Israel and Germany for this initiative.

Here in Geneva, our collective work at the Human Rights Council and other multilateral fora reflects a strong and united engagement against all forms of discrimination. Tolerance and dialogue are guiding values and deeply embedded in our daily work.

In the light of this important commemoration date, we encourage action and taking a stance against distortion and antisemitism. Let us honour the past, safeguard the future and protect the facts.

See Also

• Campaign #ProtectTheFacts
• EU Strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life (2021-2030)
• Statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell
• UN Geneva: Holocaust Memorial Week 2022
• Message by UN Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres
• UN Resolution: Condemning Holocaust Denial