Markéta Pekarová Adamová

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

Honorable survivors, distinguished guests, dear friends and colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

Today, we commemorate Roma Holocaust Memorial Day around the world.

Exactly 80 years have passed since the tragic night of 2^nd to 3^rd August of 1944. On that day, the Nazis murdered up to 4 300 Roma men, women, and children in the gas chambers of the infamous concentration camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau. Countless others were persecuted and brutally tortured by the Nazi regime solely because of their ethnicity. Their suffering and resilience stand as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of hatred and bigotry.

It is our moral duty not to forget these horrific events. Therefore, we commemorate the legacy of all the victims. It is also a way to prevent the repetition of such unspeakable atrocities in the future.

We must remain vigilant, educating future generations about those atrocities and the importance of tolerance and human dignity.

Never again should we allow prejudice and discrimination to go unchecked. Never again should we stand silent in the face of injustice and hatred. We must always remember the lessons of the past and never ever forget them.

May the memories of the victims inspire us to build a world where every person, regardless of their background, can live in peace, safety, and dignity. Let us honor their legacy by striving for justice, compassion, and unity.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.