World remembers Holocaust massacre
Monitoring Desk
Saturday - January 28, 2017
BERLIN (Germany): German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in a statement on Friday held, “Auschwitz extermination camp was liberated 72 years ago” adding “The name Auschwitz and this day remind us of all the death camps and of the National Socialist persecution and killing machine, a terrible, unforgotten and ever present chapter in the history of our country.”
We cannot change or undo what has occurred. We do, however, have both a duty and an obligation to recall the ultimate betrayal of all civilised values that was the Shoah, to commemorate the victims, and to assume our present‑day responsibility in this connection.
Especially in this day and age, when quite a few certainties are being called into question, and when the world around us may appear unsafe, restless and lacking in order, days like today (Friday), and taking time to reflect on our past, are of great importance.
To us, our history is a lesson, an admonition and a calling. Remembrance cannot, and must never, end.
January 27 is Remembrance Day for the 6 million European Jews killed, the Sinti and Roma, the forced labourers, the prisoners of war left to starve to death, the people euthanised by the State, the homosexuals, all those who, for religious, political or simply humanitarian reasons, stood against the reign of terror and so fell victim to the strictures of the totalitarian regime.
Separately, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova in a statement on Friday said, “January 27 marks the 72nd anniversary of Auschwitz liberation by Soviet forces.”
International Holocaust Remembrance Day is also marked today (Friday), under international law, in accordance with a United Nations (UN) General Assembly resolution.
This is a day of remembrance, sorrow and, of course, gratitude to those who gave their lives to stop this evil.
Any man-hating theories, xenophobia, nationalism and fascism are an absolute evil stemming from ignorance, disregard for the past, fanaticism and the lack of spirituality.
Therefore, it is very important to pass on the truth about the tragedy of that period from generation to generation.
At the same time, we must remember that people also displayed their best traits by giving their lives for the lives of others, mostly strangers, only because that is what the situation called for at the time and due to the humane considerations of those who made such crucial decisions.
It is highly important now not to forget these tragic lessons of the past for just one reason: oblivion may lead to a recurrence of past events and new attempts to gain the upper hand.
Unfortunately, we can now see that dangerous trends linked with attempts to rewrite history are now unfolding in Europe, where this terrible tragedy happened.
This is very dangerous and, as often has been the case, may cause a backlash against nations, if wisdom and prudence are lost.
Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Ministry in a statement on Friday held, “January 27 is declared as The International Holocaust Remembrance Day by a Resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2005, of which Turkey is one of the co-sponsors.”
January 27 marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau Death Camp on that date in 1945, which became one of the symbols of the World War II era.
Racism, extremism and antisemitism are the phenomena which soared in Europe before World War II and caused one of the major tragedies in history, that came to be called Holocaust.
Millions of innocent people, primarily Jews, were exterminated in an organised and systematic way by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.
We commemorate millions of people who lost their lives during the Holocaust with respect.
Today (Friday), it is our duty to do whatever it takes to avoid the reoccurrence of Holocaust which is one of the darkest periods of human history. This is the common responsibility for all humanity.
In this respect, Turkey actively participates in the activities of the “International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance” as an observer since 2008 and continues its efforts for the Holocaust not to be forgotten and to forward the lessons learned to younger generations.
Being aware of its responsibility, Turkey will resolutely continue its fight against anti-semitism, racism, xenophobia, and ‘Islamophobia,’ which unfortunately have regained ground in today’s world.
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