January 27, 2013

The Institute for Research of Genocide of Canada (IGC) marks Holocaust Memorial Day

Ignoring the historical fact of the World War ll Holocaust increases the risk that it will be repeated

Holocaust Memorial Day is commemorated on 27th January every year and observed all over the world, in memory of all victims of World War II Holocaust.

IGC opened on January 27, 2010 on the International Day of Remembrance for all victims of the Holocaust, as an important reminder of the universal study of that - and any future genocidal - Holocaust, a unique evil which cannot simply be permitted to slip quietly into the past and eventually oblivion.

The Holocaust of World War ll was the despicable, systematic process of torturing and murdering nearly six million European Jews, by German Nazi’s. Approximately two-thirds of nine million European Jews were murdered throughout that particular Holocaust. That Jewish genocide (which also included members of other human minority groups) was a crucial result of Nazi advancement in Europe during the time of Hitler.

Although, Holocaust Memorial Day is observed by many Jewish communities around the world today, it has also acquired a secular perception, with regard to which people globally now stand together, paying tribute to those victims on this day. Many perform special prayers and rituals to commemorate the day, incorporating all religious / spiritual systems (and none). Holocaust Memorial Day is an international commemoration of the lives lost during the Holocaust - in recognition and support of other, more recent genocides and present day discrimination.

One purpose of the Holocaust Memorial Day is to recognize the abject cruelty of the dictator against civilians, wherein millions of unarmed civilians died in and as part of a great conspiracy. There was no access to or application of human rights that might have afforded efforts to save children and women from the ‘Death Valley’ of that particular, enormous Holocaust. It was, therefore, nothing short of a curse against society. The Death Valley serves to remind a global populous of the conspiracy of Nazi Germany against millions of civilians. Hence, we participate in this day - offering prayers of solidarity and commiseration for those millions of innocent victims.

IGC herein outlines four lessons to be learned from the Holocaust of World Wae ll:

The first lesson is the importance of remembrance - of understanding that the genocide of six million people is not a matter of abstract statistics. For each person there was (and remains) a name. For each person there was (and remains) an identity. Each person was (and remains) a unique component of the universe.

The second, enduring lesson of the Holocaust, is that these genocidal murders succeeded not only because of the industry of death - but because of the ideology of hate.

The third lesson comprises that which concerns and surrounds the tremendous dangers attributed to an associated with silence; the consequences of indifference and the responsibility to act – such as, for example, re the genocides throughout various periods of history in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The fourth lesson has to be the need to combat mass atrocity and the culture of impunity – in tandem with ensuring that all war criminals are brought soundly to justice, within the parameters of both national and international legislation. That never again will we be indifferent to racism and hate; that never again will we be silent in the face of evil; that never again will we indulge anti-semitism – old and new; that never again will we be indifferent in the face of mass atrocity and impunity.

IGC therefore, will continue to speak and act against racism, against hate, against atrocity, against injustice, against genocide and against aggressions.

IGC will continue to work towards a world of justice, in which all the nations and people will value a common humanity, which we all share.

IGC will continue to honor all victims of all genocides, by renewing our commitment to prevent further genocide.

IGC will continue to work on behalf of a world where justice and peace prevail in which all nations and peoples can value a shared, best quality humanity that incorporates dignity - inherent in every human being.

IGC will continue to stand for and represent human rights.

IGC will continue to uphold democracy and the rule of law.

While all stated purposes and intentions will be difficult to put into practice, IGC assure you that every sustainable, lawful effort will be employed towards achieving those stated goals. This will naturally remain ‘a work in progress’ – but a major advance in safeguarding mankind from crimes against humanity. Today is not simply a time for remembering the Holocaust, it is a time to remind ourselves of the myriad lessons to be learnt – and apply appropriate responses, here and now.

Let us heed all the many and varied lessons while continuing to learn. We need to strengthen the forces of peaceful coexistence and dialogue. We must recognize the limits of power and goodwill. We who are present know that we can never entirely rid the world of its tyrants and their incumbent intolerance. We cannot turn all extremists to the path of reason and light. We can only stand against them and encourage upcoming generations to raise their voices with us, in the name of our common, dignified humanity.

As we remember the victims of the second World War Holocaust and the victims of the Bosnian Genocide, let us reaffirm our faith in the dignity of humankind and our extraordinary resilience - our moral strength - even amid history’s darkest chapters May the memories of all genocide victims, the dignity and courage of those who endured the horrors of World War ll’s Holocaust and the Bosnian Genocide, serve as a constant reminder to honor their legacy by renewing our commitment to prevent further or extended genocide, while confronting prejudice in all its reprehensible, representative shapes and forms.

The Institute for Research of Genocide Canada