On January 27th, the Day of Remembrance for Genocides and the Prevention of Crimes Against Humanity takes place. This is a symbolic date as it corresponds to the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp.
On October 18, 2002, European education ministers adopted the declaration that established a Holocaust Remembrance Day and the prevention of crimes against humanity.
This day of remembrance is an opportunity to reflect on the Holocaust and genocides and to recall the humanist values that underpin democracy. This day of remembrance should raise awareness that absolute evil exists and that relativism is not compatible with the values of the Republic. It is necessary to show young people that these values are not just empty words. Their respect in all countries around the world is fundamental and requires each person to be vigilant about what threatens these values and active in defending them.
This duty of remembrance and prevention is more relevant than ever. Today as yesterday, today as tomorrow, no form of racism and anti-Semitism, regardless of its nature, should be tolerated. It is the common memorial site of a European memory that continues to be built and the horizon of a humanity based on justice, peace, and tolerance.
