UNIC Nairobi commemorates the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust
27 January 2009 –In line with General Assembly Resolution 60/7, the United Nations Information Centre in Nairobi in collaboration with the Israel Embassy in Nairobi, has organized the commemoration of the fourth International Holocaust Remembrance Day today 27 January 2007. The day marks the liberation of the largest Nazi death camp in Auschwitz-Birkenau (Poland) by the Soviet army in 1945. Over one million people, most of them Jewish, were murdered at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The solemn function was attended by one hundred guests
comprised of diplomats from various embassies, students from State House girls High school, the media and
United Nations staff. The Director of UNIC Nasser Ega-Musa was the master of ceremony.
The programme included speeches from the Israel Ambassador H.E Jacob Keidar, the German Ambassador H.E Walter Lindner,
the representative of the Jewish community Dr. David Silverstein.
Mrs Angela Cropper the Deputy Executive Director UNEP read the UN Secretary-General's speech.
Each guest lit one of the six candles which represented 6 million Jews who were killed during the holocaust.
Based on the theme "An Authentic Basis for Hope:Holocaust Remembrance and Education", the Israel and German ambassadors and
the Jewish community representatives, in their speeches, made references to the genocide in Rwanda, the war in Dafur,
and other parts of the world while stressing the magnitude and the industrialized technological mode used during the holocaust
which will never be the same. The word "Never again " was the theme repeatedly cited in both the speeches and the poems recited by the students from
State House Girls Nairobi, to stress that such an event should never happen again. After the function visitors viewed the exhibition on
the holocaust courtesy of the Israel Embassy.
In a message issued for the occasion, the Secretary-General said, “Our world continues to be plagued by ruthless violence, utter disregard for human rights, and the targeting of people solely for who they are. On this fourth International Day of Commemoration, let us remember the victims of the Holocaust by reaffirming our faith in the dignity and equal rights of all members of the human family. And let us pledge to work together to turn today’s hope into tomorrow’s better future” (full message).
The 2009 theme for the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust (Tuesday, 27 January) -- "An authentic basis for hope: Holocaust remembrance and education” -- honours the memory of the victims and recognizes the positive trend toward Holocaust education around the world and the importance of these lessons today.
The Holocaust was a turning point in history, which prompted the world to say "never again"". The significance of resolution A/RES/60/7 is that it calls for a remembrance of past crimes with an eye towards preventing them in the future.
About the day
In a 2005 resolution, the General Assembly designated 27 January, the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp, as an annual international day of commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, and also requested the establishment of an outreach programme on the Holocaust and the United Nations (A/RES/60/7).
Related links
educational materials and discussion papers
Footprints for Hope Project
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