2nd August 1944
Today, on the 80th anniversary of the liquidation of the ‘Gypsy Camp’ at Auschwitz, we remember the 4,300 Roma and Sinti who were murdered by the SS at Auschwitz-Birkenau, and we commemorate the 500,000 Roma and Sinto murdered in Nazi-occupied Europe. With it, we also remember the unbreakable resistance spirit of the Roma people in Auschwitz and the inhumane tragedy of their stolen lives.
The Roma experience parallels the Jewish people as survivors of intolerance, marginalization and persecution. This is why today, we stand in solidarity with our Roma friends. It is vital to understand the importance of remembering the atrocities of the past and assuming the responsibility to prevent them from happening in the future.
René Cassin continues to stand in solidarity with Roma and Traveller communities and groups to raise awareness of the harmful consequences of hateful rhetoric against minorities. Intolerance and hostility towards any community are unacceptable and stand in stark contrast to our values. All human beings are to be treated equally, respectfully and justly.
