Statement in Observance of the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust

I bring you New Year greetings from the United Nations in Ghana. On behalf of the United Nations, I would like to express our profound appreciation to the government and people of the State of Israel and the Federal Republic of Germany for collaborating with the United Nations to commemorate this solemn occasion.

We are gathered here to honor the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Eight-three (83) years ago, we witnessed one of the most despicable events of our time; a calculated genocide, where Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically murdered some six million Jews across German-occupied Europe, around two-thirds of Europe's Jewish population. On this solemn occasion of the 2024 Holocaust Memorial Day, we remember the millions of innocent lives lost during the Holocaust. We also pay tribute to the survivors and their families, who have shown remarkable resilience and courage in the face of unimaginable horrors.

This year’s theme, ‘Recognizing the Extraordinary Courage of Victims and Survivors of the Holocaust’, reminds us of the importance of acknowledging the bravery of those who resisted Nazi dehumanization and fought for their dignity and humanity. As we remember the survivors of Holocaust, let us not forget that the world continues to experience some of the traits of the Holocaust.  It is sad to note that, despite the experience with the Holocaust, there is growing political instability, escalating hate and religious bigotry, increasingly and amplified by social media, artificial intelligence, and information technology.  The purpose of our gathering here will be meaningless if we do not collectively take steps to address these disturbing occurrences.

We have a collective responsibility to address the residual trauma, maintaining effective remembrance policies and practices, caring for historic sites, and promoting awareness, education, documentation, and research, now more than ever, over seven decades after the genocide. This responsibility entails educating about the causes, consequences, and dynamics of such crimes to empower young people to identify early and resist ideologies of hatred.

In Ghana, the UN continues to work closely with the government and key stakeholders to promote human rights, sustainable development, and peace. We will continue to provide support in mitigating the drivers of hate speech and antisemitism in the Ghanaian public space and support learning from this tragic in forging forward into a hate-free world. In an increasingly politically divided world, mirroring itself here in our sub-region, (and in a year with many elections taking place), the importance of the elections cannot be over-emphasized.    

Permit me at this juncture to read out the UN Secretary-General’s Statement:

Today, we pause to mourn the six million Jewish children, women, and men systematically murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators – and we grieve the Roma and Sinti, the people with disabilities, and so many others who were persecuted and killed in the Holocaust.

We honour their memory.

We stand with the survivors, their families and descendants. 

We pledge never to forget – nor let others forget the truth of what happened.

And we recognize the horrific resonance this day of commemoration finds in our own times.

The antisemitic hate that fueled the Holocaust did not start with the Nazis, nor did it end with their defeat.

Today, we are witnessing hate spreading at alarming speed.

Online, it has moved from the margins to the mainstream.

But today of all days, we must remember:

That demonization of the other and disdain for diversity is a danger to everyone.

That no society is immune to intolerance – and worse.

And that bigotry against one group is bigotry against all.

Is the former Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, Jonathan Sacks, so memorably said: “The hate that begins with Jews never ends with Jews”.

And so today – especially in the wake of the abhorrent 7 October terror attacks by Hamas -- we must resolve to stand up against the forces of hate and division. 

We must condemn – unequivocally – whenever and wherever we encounter antisemitism – just as we must condemn all forms of racism, prejudice and religious bigotry, including anti-Muslim hatred and violence against minority Christian communities.

Let us never be silent in the face of discrimination, and never tolerant of intolerance.

Let us speak out for human rights and the dignity of all.

Let us never lose sight of each other’s humanity, and never let down our guard.

To all who confront prejudice and persecution, let us clearly say: you are not alone.

The United Nations stands with you.

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So on this solemn occasion, we must all reflect on the lessons of the Holocaust and stand together against hate, racism, and discrimination in all its forms. What we want is a world where everyone can live in peace, dignity, and equality.

Thank you.