Published in November 2021, the IHRA’s publication “Understanding Holocaust Distortion: Contexts, Influences and Examples” builds on previous resources to provide a strong, expert-produced and reviewed foundation on international manifestations of Holocaust distortion.
Read an excerpt of Understanding Holocaust Distortion: Contexts, Influences and Examples
Although Holocaust denial remains a significant problem in many countries both within and outside of the IHRA, Holocaust distortion is a growing and perhaps more significant challenge today. This is in part due to the fact that Holocaust distortion surfaces in different contexts, and often in ways that are not punishable by law or other measures. It is also challenging because many forms of distortion overlap with one another, or moreover may be the result of unintentional ignorance of the subject and specificity of the Holocaust. Regardless, distortion is a growing challenge because its presence lends legitimacy to more dangerous forms of denial and antisemitism.
Over the course of the past decade, Holocaust distortion has grown in intensity. Geographical aspects and regional historical context play important roles in the countries dealing with the Holocaust. It must be countered through clear identification of manifestations, contexts, influences, and narratives examined in this publication.
Contents of Understanding Holocaust Distortion: Contexts, Influences and Examples
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What is Holocaust Distortion?
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Historical and Geographical Contexts
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Political Influences
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Narratives and Examples
Join us in countering Holocaust distortion
The IHRA seeks to challenge distortion and denial of the Holocaust and the genocide of the Roma, in order to to uphold the commitments of the 2000 Stockholm Declaration and 2020 IHRA Ministerial Declaration.
Further resources on Holocaust distortion include:
- Holocaust Distortion: A Lecture by Professor Yehuda Bauer
- Recognizing and Countering Holocaust Distortion: Recommendations for Policy and Decision Makers
- The IHRA working definition on Holocaust denial and distortion, IHRA Project on Holocaust Denial and Distortion Laws and the IHRA Statement on Rehabilitation.
- The campaign #ProtectTheFacts
