In a resolution dated November 1, 2005 and co-sponsored by Turkey, the United Nations General Assembly designated January 27 as the “International Holocaust Remembrance Day.”

On this day, we remember with respect 11 million victims of the Holocaust, including 6 million Jews, the Roma people and the disabled persons, who were systematically and brutally murdered by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. We once again honor the memories of the Turkish diplomats who extended a helping hand to victims fleeing the atrocities.

Turkey has been participating in the activities of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) as an observer country since 2008. IHRA was established with the aim of researching the Holocaust thoroughly, remembering the sufferings of its victims as well as passing this awareness to new generations.

Despite the unprecedented grim reality of the Holocaust, we observe with concern a global rise in hate speech and crimes as well as the still existing discriminatory ideologies of Antisemitism, racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia.

Turkey will continue to resolutely fight against these hate-based phenomena and all kinds of discrimination that pose threats to global peace and security. Turkey underlines the importance of international cooperation to this end.

In the past, Turkey saved by hosting thousands of Jews fleeing Nazi persecution from the Holocaust. Today, our doors remain open to those fleeing violence and we continue to provide protection to millions of people.

Turkey, who embraces a human centered approach in its foreign policy, calls upon the international community to prioritize humanitarian principles for the prevention of the recurrence of past tragedies.