Taoiseach Micheál Martin attending commemoration for the liberation of Auschwitz

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is in Poland today (Monday) to join other world leaders at a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The Holocaust, in which 6 million jews were murdered, remains the darkest period in Europe’s history. Today’s commemoration is probably the last significant one at which survivors of the camp will be present and able to recount at first hand the horrors of what happened to them and other concentration camp inmates.

Today is also International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the commemoration is a recommitment to denouncing and combating antisemitism and all forms of discrimination, intolerance, racism, and xenophobia. Today’s most solemn occasion is all the more important as the world is seeing a rise in antisemitism and Holocaust denial.

Speaking ahead of his attendance, the Taoiseach said:

“Today, we remember the unique horrors of the Holocaust, in particular the extermination of 6 million jews from across Europe in the Nazi death camps. We remember also the Roma, the disabled, the political dissidents, the members of the LGBTQ community and all who were persecuted and murdered without mercy in the camps.

“It is a particular honour to be here at what is probably the last significant anniversary at which survivors of the camps will be present in person. Though they are now all advanced in years, their memories of what happened in the camps - the profound loss of their family members and the destruction of Europe’s vibrant Jewish communities - remain crystal clear and vivid.

“We owe it to them to ensure that now, and for all generations to come, we remember and say never again.

“Today is also International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the event I am attending at Auschwitz will recommit us to denouncing and combating antisemitism and all forms of discrimination, intolerance, racism and xenophobia.

“In recent years we have witnessed a shocking rise in antisemitism and Holocaust denial, both online and offline. I take this issue very seriously and the government will continue to work at home and with international partners to tackle all forms of discrimination, including antisemitism. In this spirit, we recently endorsed the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism and the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism. We will also continue our close relationship with the Jewish community in Ireland and ensure that their concerns are heard.

“In Auschwitz, people from across the world shall gather once again to ensure we never forget.”