International Holocaust Remembrance Day, 27 January

On the occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the FRA joins in to commemorate the six million Jewish and all the other victims of the Holocaust.

Paying tribute to the victims, we must remember that the wider lessons of the Holocaust remain sadly relevant today. In today’s Europe, some people still risk paying with their life for their religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or a disability. Political leaders, governments and the society at large must remain determined in their fight against anti-Semitism, racism and all other forms for intolerance.

Education plays a key role in helping future generations appreciate the dangers of racism. It is vital that young people understand what the Holocaust means and how that experience can help shape an inclusive society, based on respect for diversity and the protection of fundamental rights.

This year, the Fundamental Rights Agency will cooperate with Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Remembrance Authority in Jerusalem, and develop educational initiatives that can help combat racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism. In the past, FRA and Yad Vashem have brought together Austrian pupils to speak, via video conference, with holocaust survivors in Israel.

Beyond education and awareness-raising, FRA continues to monitor anti-Semitic incidents in the EU Member States. The recent available data indicates the need to remain vigilant to anti-Semitic activity in the European Union. Incidents across the EU range from hate mail to arson. Read the Agency’s update with most recent figures on anti-Semitism from a number of EU Member States. [ Read FRA’s working paper (PDF) ]

Source : http://fra.europa.eu/fra/index.php