Statement to mark Romani Genocide Remembrance Day

August 2, 2019 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, today issued the following statement:

“Today, we solemnly remember the more than 500,000 Romani murdered and persecuted by the Nazis and their collaborators during the Second World War.

“By officially recognizing the Romani genocide—also known as the Porajmos and Samudaripen—we recognize the Romani peoples’ shared history as victims and survivors of Nazi atrocities during the Second World War. Their story is the tragic consequence of intolerance left unchecked. It is a horrific example of where bigotry, xenophobia and the labelling of others as less than equal can lead when toxic rhetoric is normalized and encouraged.

“We also recognize that Romani communities in many countries around the world have historically been, and continue to be, marginalized in all areas of life. Romani women, especially, still face significant discrimination and social exclusion.

“Canada is working within the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance [IHRA] to promote greater awareness of the Romani genocide through the IHRA’s Committee on the Genocide of the Roma.

“We vow to never again let such atrocities be committed against anyone, anywhere.”