Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

January 27, 2018 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:

“‘For ever let this place be a cry of despair and a warning to humanity’ are the words that struck me the most when I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp. These words, inscribed on a memorial at the camp, remind us of the unspeakable atrocities committed during World War II and of the need to guard against the antisemitism and xenophobia that fuelled the murders of 6 million Jewish children, women and men during the Holocaust, as well as millions of others killed by the evil Nazi regime.

“Seventy-three years after the liberation of Auschwitz, denial of the Holocaust and antisemitism remain with us. I am committed to Canada playing a leadership role in the fight against antisemitism and all forms of hatred, domestically and around the world.

“As a proud member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, Canada supports the alliance’s mandate to ‘strengthen humanity’s ability to absorb and learn from the dark lessons of the past, so that we can ensure that similar horrors are never again repeated.’

“Canada is also committed to working with other governments, the private sector and civil society organizations to promote inclusive and accountable governance, pluralism, inclusion and respect for diversity and all human rights. This includes advocating on behalf of persecuted minorities and religious and belief communities that are threatened by discrimination, xenophobia and religious hatred.

“We must never forget the terrible chapter in human history that was the Holocaust nor stand idly by when human rights are violated, wherever that may be. There can be no place in this world for prejudice, violence, intolerance, persecution or genocide. On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Canada joins the rest of the world to unequivocally say: never again.” 

Contacts

Adam Austen
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Adam.Austen@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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