IHRA President's Statement on the Working Definition of Anti-Roma Racism
The 2020 IHRA Ministerial Declaration emphasized the importance of remembering the genocide of the Roma and acknowledging the impact that the neglect of this genocide has had on the continued marginalization and widespread discrimination of Roma communities. Three years ago, the need for a working definition of anti-Roma racism as a useful tool to help guide the IHRA in its work became overwhelmingly clear. Today’s coronavirus pandemic, which has fanned the flames of anti-Roma racism, has made the adoption of such a definition all the more urgent. Over the last three years the experts...
IHRA Chair on Freiburg "Hygiene Demonstrations"
IHRA Chair Ambassador Michaela Küchler says, "The use of National Socialist icons at the Freiburg 'Hygiene Demonstrations' is only the most recent manifestation of a sickening phenomenon where Nazi Germany's efforts to exterminate Europe’s Jews are compared to today's measures to contain the coronavirus. From Freiburg to Vienna to the United States, the measures taken by democratic governments to protect their populations and save lives are being equated with the murderous policies of the National Socialist regime, thereby diminishing the latter. This obscene trend reflects a grave lack of...
IHRA Chair on government responses to COVID-19
IHRA Chair Ambassador Michaela Küchler says, "As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the globe, and governments rush to respond to the growing pandemic, the challenges facing our societies are becoming more and more apparent. The new coronavirus, which poses an unprecedented threat to public health, has shown that it will test the resilience of our democratic institutions as well. Especially during times of crisis, it is important that the necessary actions taken by governments do not fan the flames of xenophobia, antisemitism, antigypsyism, and other forms of discrimination, but that...
IHRA Chair Statement on Holocaust remembrance during pandemic
IHRA Chair Ambassador Michaela Küchler says, "We know that the current COVID- 19 situation is posing a great challenge for people and institutions across the globe, including museums, educational institutions and civil society organizations focusing on the topic of the Holocaust. It is difficult to keep the focus on the importance of remembrance, education and research about the Holocaust at a time when so many fear for their health and financial existence. The IHRA community, too, is still adjusting to this new reality. In these difficult times, we are deeply grateful to all those...
IHRA Chair commends Holy See on opening of Pope Pius XII Archives
The IHRA Chair, Ambassador Georges Santer, said: "We commend the Holy See’s official opening of the Pope Pius XII Archives today. Archival access is a key aspect of Holocaust remembrance, and contributes directly to safeguarding the historical record. We all share a responsibility to throw light on the still obscured shadows of the Holocaust and the Second World War, and we very much appreciate the constructive talks we had in the past with Cardinal State Secretary, Pietro Parolin, and Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher. For decades a significant amount...
IHRA Chair commends passing of law to protect Staro Sajmište
Ambassador Georges Santer, Chair of IHRA, commented: “The IHRA commends the Serbian government and the Parliament – which supported the relevant law without any votes against – for their efforts to preserve the memory of the Serbian, Jewish and Roma communities murdered at Staro Sajmište. Memorial sites play a crucial role in educating current and future generations about the historical facts and causes of the Holocaust, while honouring the memory of the victims and survivors. The Serbian people deserve an authentic site of remembrance for the crimes of the Holocaust and so safeguarding...
IHRA Executive Secretary condemns antisemitic displays at Aalst and Campo de Criptana Carnivals
Dr. Kathrin Meyer, IHRA Executive Secretary, comments: “The annual carnivals in Aalst and Campo de Criptana, featuring antisemitic and Nazi-themed displays and floats, are deeply offensive to the Jewish community and to Holocaust victims, survivors and their families. The tradition of carnival has typically focused on mocking powerful institutions such as the church or the state – not on humiliating minority groups who are once again being threatened and murdered throughout Europe. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) works tirelessly to counter Holocaust distortion and...
IHRA Chair Statement on shooting in Hanau, Germany
"The racially motivated murders of 9 people in Hanau, Germany, leaves us deeply troubled. It is difficult to find words to express the sadness, anger and shock we feel in the face of such a despicable act just a few weeks after we commemorated the victims of the Holocaust, the unprecedented genocide that left deep scars in all European societies. In the name of all 34 Member Countries of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, I express my sincere condolences to all those who lost loved ones in the deadly shooting. The attack in Hanau is the latest in a long line of deadly...
IHRA Executive Secretary statement on Vandalism of Jewish Cemetery in Geilenkirchen, Germany
Dr Kathrin Meyer, Executive Secretary of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) said: "It is deeply worrying to see that more than 40 Jewish graves have been vandalised in the town of Geilenkirchen in western Germany. The incident, which took place on the second-last day of Hanukkah, comes amid a worrying rise in antisemitic threats and attacks throughout our Member Countries and beyond. We condemn this hateful act and we will continue to work with Germany and all our 34 Member Countries to counter this antisemitism in order to ensure the peaceful co-existence of all...
IHRA Executive Secretary statement on knife attack in New York State
Dr Kathrin Meyer, Executive Secretary of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) said: “It was with deep shock that I learned of the knife attack at a rabbi’s house in New York State on Saturday 28 December, the seventh night of Hannukah. I express my deepest solidarity with those wounded and threatened in the attack and with the whole Jewish community across Rockland County. We condemn this antisemitic hate crime. A Rockland County legislator said the Jewish community was “scared but not surprised” by this latest abhorrent incident which is a frightening indication of the...