MEPs Commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day
Brussels, 29 January 2025
Today, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) paused to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day. In a solemn ceremony held in the European Parliament’s plenary chamber, MEPs paid tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and reaffirmed their commitment to fighting against all forms of intolerance and discrimination.
The ceremony began with a minute of silence, during which MEPs stood in silent contemplation to honor the memory of the millions who perished during the Holocaust. This was followed by a reading of the names of some of the victims.
Addressing the ceremony, Parliament President Roberta Metsola stressed the importance of remembering the Holocaust. “We must never forget the horrors that were inflicted on so many innocent people,” she said. “We must always stand up against hate and intolerance, and we must never let such atrocities happen again.”
Other speakers included Auschwitz survivor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel, who shared his personal testimony of the horrors he experienced during the Holocaust. Wiesel urged MEPs to continue to fight against anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination.
“The Holocaust is a reminder of the darkest chapter in human history,” said Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) group. “We must learn from the past and ensure that such atrocities never happen again.”
“The Holocaust was a crime against humanity that must never be forgotten,” said Manfred Weber, leader of the European People’s Party (EPP) group. “We must continue to fight against all forms of intolerance and discrimination, and we must build a more just and equitable world.”
The ceremony concluded with a performance by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra played a moving rendition of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, a song that has become a symbol of hope and unity.
Holocaust Remembrance Day is commemorated annually on January 27th, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The United Nations General Assembly designated this day as a day of remembrance in 2005.
The European Parliament has long been at the forefront of efforts to combat anti-Semitism and discrimination. In 2019, the Parliament adopted a resolution condemning all forms of anti-Semitism and calling on member states to take action to combat this scourge.
The Parliament’s commitment to fighting against intolerance and discrimination is also reflected in its support for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), an intergovernmental organization that works to promote Holocaust education and research. The Parliament participates in the IHRA’s work through its delegation to the organization.
Today’s ceremony was a reminder of the importance of remembering the Holocaust and fighting against all forms of intolerance and discrimination. The European Parliament will continue to play a leading role in these efforts.
Press release – MEPs commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day
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