Annita Demetriou

Video statement on the occasion of 2 August 2024, Holocaust Memorial Day for Sinti and Roma

Video Statement by H.E. the President of the House of Representatives, 

Your Excellencies,  

Dear Colleagues, 

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Roma and Sinti Holocaust at Auschwitz-Birkenau. We pay tribute to the hundreds of thousands of Roma and Sinti victims who were brutally persecuted and murdered by the Nazi regime and their collaborators during World War II. The heinous crimes committed against these communities, targeted for their faith, ethnicity, and race, represent the darkest chapter in European history and the greatest crime against humanity. We will never forget their significant contributions to Europe’s cultural heritage and history, nor the unspeakable suffering and pain inflicted upon them. As this is the last generation that can hear first-hand accounts from Holocaust survivors, it is our moral imperative to pass on their testimonies in order to guide our present and future actions and prevent such atrocities from happening again. 

Auschwitz did not emerge overnight. The growing prevalence of extreme political ideologies and far-right parties across Europe, which propagate hate rhetoric, xenophobia, anti-semitism and racism is very alarming and reminds us of our obligation to remain vigilant for protecting the rights of national minorities and vulnerable groups. Now more than ever, it is crucial to ensure that we never revisit the path that led to Auschwitz. As political leaders and particularly as Europeans, our primary responsibility is to listen to our citizens’ concerns, meet their legitimate expectations and secure their prosperity and well-being. This is the only way to prevent extreme political ideologies from exploiting people’s desperation and gaining influence. 

It is our collective responsibility as leaders to cultivate a culture that is free from hate rhetoric, racism, discrimination, and antisemitism, while actively promoting inclusion, acceptance, tolerance and respect for diversity. Preserving the memory of the Holocaust and raising awareness for future generations about its invaluable lessons are crucial. We must work closely together and enhance our efforts towards eradicating all these harmful phenomena which undermine democracy. Enacting robust legislation which provides effective protection against discrimination and hate crimes must be prioritized.  

Discrimination, racism and hatred have no place in civilized and democratic societies. We pledge never to remain silent or complacent and to vigorously stand up for human rights, as well as our European principles and values, which are fundamental to our existence. 

I wish to conclude my remarks with a very powerful and inspirational quote from Nobel Prize winner and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, who emphasized that “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must—at that moment—become the center of the universe”.