On behalf of the United Nations General Assembly, I wish to convey my deepest respect and profound admiration for the Holocaust survivors and their families.
While the past cannot be changed, the history and legacy of those who were lost and of those who survived must forever be recognized.
To do so is to celebrate the lives and mourn the losses of the six million souls who perished, needlessly and cruelly, during humanity’s darkest hour.
And it is to recall that remembrance of the Holocaust is critical to preventing further acts of genocide.
In reclaiming the history and stories of Holocaust survivors we collectively reject any denial of the Holocaust. We preserve the cultural heritage and dignity of all those who suffered.
As we remember the Holocaust, let us recommit to respecting the rights of all; to promoting human rights; to addressing inequalities and injustices; and to countering the rising tide of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, as well as all other forms of discrimination.
As we face a world of uncertainty, and of misinformation and disinformation, we must be steadfast in raising awareness of the Holocaust. We must continue to remember the victims. We must take preventive measures against anti-Semitism. And we must engage youth, who will be the torchbearers of this legacy of remembrance.
Above all, we must uphold the principles of human rights for all.
In this context, I would recall that the recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace.
I thank you.
