Tomorrow, on Roma Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, we pause to remember the millions of lives destroyed by the Nazi regime — including the many Roma and Sinti men, women, and children targeted for extermination.
Among those victims were nearly 3,000 Romani people murdered in a single night on August 2, 1944, in the so-called “Gypsy Family Camp” at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Their suffering and death, like that of so many others, demand to be acknowledged and remembered.
The liberation of Auschwitz in 1945 marked not only the end of one of history’s darkest chapters but also the beginning of a worldwide effort to build lasting peace through human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, co-authored by Monsieur René Cassin, was one result of that determination — a bold vision for a world grounded in dignity, equality, and justice.
Yet today, Roma communities across the UK and Europe still face discrimination, marginalisation, and violence. Their voices are often unheard. Honouring the past requires that we listen — and that we act.
At René Cassin, we remember those who suffered and perished, including those whose stories have long gone unrecognised. As a human rights organisation inspired by the values of the Universal Declaration, we commit ourselves to building a future where everyone’s humanity is respected, protected, and fulfilled.
By remembering fully — and by working with purpose — we can help bring about the better future that history demands.
