France has chosen January 27, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz camp, for this day of remembrance of the Holocaust and the prevention of crimes against humanity.
This day of remembrance is meant to raise awareness that absolute evil exists and that relativism is not compatible with the values of the Republic.
“The executioner always kills twice, the second time by forgetting” (Elie Wiesel, Nobel Prize laureate)
Prevention of crimes against humanity alongside remembrance of the Holocaust, this day also aims to include all victims of crimes against humanity in this act of remembrance. And first, to return to the victims of Nazi terror, apart from the Jewish communities of Europe, who constitute the majority, the Roma populations, and also the mentally ill.
This duty of remembrance and prevention is more relevant than ever. Today as yesterday, today as tomorrow, no form of racism and antisemitism can ever be tolerated.
It is the common place of memory of a European memory that continues to be formed and the horizon of a humanity based on justice, peace, and tolerance.
