2 August 2024
Ellen Germain
Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Video statement on the occasion of 2 August 2024, Holocaust Memorial Day for Sinti and Roma
Thank you for inviting me to participate virtually in today’s commemoration. I wish I could be there in person to stand with you as we honor and remember the thousands of Roma and Sinti murdered in Auschwitz-Birkenau by the Nazi regime.
On August 2, 1944, more than 4000 Roma and Sinti were killed in Auschwitz-Birkenau. On this 80th anniversary of that tragedy, we mourn them, and all the Roma and Sinti killed in Nazi death camps and concentration camps.
As we remember the genocide of the Roma, and the lives taken by the Nazis and their allies and collaborators, we mourn everything that was lost with them – the history, the memories, the cultural knowledge, the family stories. We remember all the lives that were so brutally cut short . . . I think especially of the children who never had a chance to grow to adulthood.
We also have to recognize that the genocide of the Roma during World War II has often been neglected by history. We honor those academics and activists who have brought attention to these terrible events while acknowledging they have not been studied, researched, or commemorated in all their depth and complexity.
We must also acknowledge this genocide was the culmination of countless steps to segregate and dehumanize Roma and Sinti. Regrettably, Roma and Sinti continue to face prejudice and discrimination today.
As we remember and honor those killed 80 years ago, let’s also find in their memory the strength to stand against all forms of hatred and bigotry. Let’s pledge to build societies that protect and value all citizens. And let’s all work together to end racism and the marginalization of Roma and Sinti.
Statements 2024
António Guterres
United Nations Secretary-General
Helena Dalli
European Commissioner for Equality
Volker Türk
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Ellen Germain
Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Michael O’Flaherty
Council-of-Europe-Commissioner-for-Human-Rights-
Terry Reintke
Co-president of the Greens in the European Parliament
Mehmet Daimagüler
Federal Government Commissioner against Antigypsyism
Cecilia Woloch
American Poet
Ruslan Stefanchuk
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Markéta Pekarová Adamová
Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic
Christian Mihr
Deputy Secretary General /
Managing Director Human Rights Impact
Annita Demetriou
H.E. The President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus
Peter De Roover
President of the Belgian House of Representatives
Janine Wissler
Chairwoman of DIE LINKE
Florian Herrmann
Head of the State Chancellery Bavaria/Minister of State for Federal Affairs and Media
Saskia Esken
Member of the Bundestag, Co-leader of SPD
Christian Lindner
Member of the Bundestag, Federal Minister of Finance
Friedrich Merz
Member of the Bundestag, Leader of CDU