European Syrian Union on the occasion of Holocaust Remembrance Day: This painful past is a common wound, not only for the Jewish people, but for all of humanity

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – On the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust, the European Syrian Union (ESU) issued a statement calling the Holocaust one of the darkest periods in human history. The ESU “remembers with deep sorrow the millions of Jews and other innocent victims who lost their lives due to the brutal policies of the Nazi regime,” the statement said.

“The Holocaust has clearly shown how hatred, intolerance and discrimination can lead societies to destruction. This painful history is a common wound, not only for the Jewish people, but for all of humanity,” the statement continues.

The Syriac people have also suffered cruel oppression and genocide in their past. The European Syrian Union therefore advocates the right of all peoples to live in justice, equality and freedom and it emphasizes the importance of tolerance, brotherhood and peace. And, to take conscious, sensitive and determined steps so that future generations will not repeat the same mistakes.

“It is therefore our collective responsibility on behalf of humanity to ensure that the Holocaust is not forgotten and to keep the memory of this tragedy alive… The lessons learned from this terrible tragedy must guide our world towards a world based on peace, justice and human rights – today and in the future,” the ESU statement ends.

ESU was present for 80th commemoration of the liberation of the Auschwitz camp at the Jewish Secular Community Centre (Centre Communautaire Laïc Juif) in Brussels, co-organised by La Fondation de la Mémoire Contemporaine and  the Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles.