The United Nations (UN) on Tuesday called for multilateral efforts toward ending all forms of racism, prejudice, and religious bigotry.
The organisation made the callĀ in Abuja at an event organised by the UNĀ Information Centre in collaboration with UNESCO, the German and Israeli embassies to mark the International Day for the Commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust.
The Day with the theme,Ā āHolocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human RightsāĀ focused on briefing students about lessons of the Holocaust and fight against discrimination, religious intolerance, harassment, mass violence, and hate speech.
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, in a virtual address said the Day often celebrated annually on Jan. 27, seeks to remind people about the dangers of holocaust and the need to prevent future acts of genocide.
Guiteres said, āWe stand alongsideĀ victims,Ā survivors, and their families, andĀ renew our resolveĀ neverĀ to forget asĀ toĀ allowĀ the holocaustĀ fade from memory wouldĀ dishonourĀ the past and betray the future.Ā
āTo know the history of the holocaust is to know the depths to which humanity can sink andĀ understand how the NazisĀ committed their heinous crimesĀ Ā withĀ the complicity of others.
āTo comprehendĀ thatĀ eachĀ of usĀ has a solemn dutyĀ toĀ speak-upĀ against hateĀ andĀ stand-upĀ forĀ theĀ human rights of all.
āWe must stand up to these outrages;Ā In these days of division and more than a year since the appalling Oct. 7 terrorĀ attacks by Hamas.
āWe must hold fast to our common humanity.
āWe must condemn anti-semitism just as we must condemn all forms of racism, prejudice, and religious bigotry andĀ we must renewĀ our resolve to defend theĀ dignity and human rights ofĀ all.ā
The Israeli Deputy-High Commissioner, Ms Inbar Garden, recounted the Jewish men, women, and children murdered in the holocaust, alongside millions of others who suffered under the Nazi regime, saying through collective efforts such occurrences would be prevented.
āWe honour their memory not only to mourn their loss but to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that such atrocities never happen again.
āThe holocaust is not just a chapter of Jewish history; it is a universal reminder of the devastating consequences of hatred, discrimination and indifference.
āIt compels us to reflect on our shared responsibility to fight antisemitism, racism and all forms of intolerance wherever they may arise,ā she said.
Mr Mathias Dold, First Secretary of German Embassy, decried the 1933 to 1945 holocaust which he said marked the darkest period across Europe under Nazi Germany and other racist states.
āThis is without a doubt Germanyās darkest hour and worst crime ever committed by the then national socialist Nazi government, since the history of the world.
āBeside Jews, other minors were murdered including half a million Roma and Sinti, Persons With Disabilities (PWD), communists, prisoners of war, political enemies and all those the Nazis considered unworthy,ā Dold stated.
Meanwhile, Mr Mendy Albert,Ā Officer -in-charge of UNESCOĀ Country office in Nigeria,Ā described the event as apt in bolstering efforts to end all forms of Holocaust.
Albert, represented byĀ Anthony Ogunniyi, UNESCOĀ Programme Officer in Abuja, urged people to reflect more onĀ the consequences of hatred, discrimination and intolerance, and rather embrace collective responsibility through peaceful co-existence and education.
Albert said, āUNESCO, as the lead agency for education within the UN system believes that education is the most powerful tool for building a just and peaceful world.Ā
āEducation for peace is not just about imparting knowledge; it is shaping attitudes, values and behaviors that promote dialogue, understanding and cooperation among individuals and societies.ā
The event which theĀ marked 80th anniversary since the Holocaust occurredĀ attracted envoy of Canada, as well as representatives ofĀ the U.S. embassy andĀ the National Human Rights Commission.