German and other European officials, along with survivors, gathered to honor the memory of the 4,300 Sinti and Roma victims who were murdered in Auschwitz-Birkenau during the Nazi regime 80 years ago. This massacre, part of the genocide that claimed the lives of 500,000 individuals from these communities, is recognized on Friday as the European Holocaust Memorial Day for Sinti and Roma.

Concealed Genocide and Ongoing Discrimination

Regrettably, even after the war, the genocide of the Sinti and Roma people was concealed and denied in post-war Germany, with few perpetrators facing justice. Hostile attitudes and discrimination persist, affecting their daily lives and opportunities.

The Threat from ‘False Prophets’

Survivors shared harrowing experiences and cautioned against the resurgence of far-right ideologies in Europe. Auschwitz survivor Alma Klasing emphasized the importance of defending democracy, while Auschwitz survivor Marian Turski warned against growing discrimination leading to catastrophic consequences.

Auschwitz and the Holocaust

As a key site in the Holocaust, Auschwitz symbolizes the atrocity that led to the deaths of 6 million Jews across Europe during World War II. Among the victims were also Roma-Sinti people, Soviet prisoners of war, and gay men, highlighting the scale of the tragedy.

Let us remember the lives lost and strive to prevent history from repeating itself.