International Holocaust Remembrance Day: What is its significance & How to observe the day?

The United Nations General Assembly has designated January 27 as the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. From 1941 to 1945, Nazi Germany along with its allies carried out a systematic murder of more than six million Jews.

The Holocaust, or Shoah, was considered the “Final Solution” by Nazi Germany which aimed for the complete elimination of the Jewish community within the country. As per reports, by the end of the gruesome act, around two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population was killed.
In the aftermath, UNGA’s resolution 60/7 designated International Holocaust Remembrance Day on November 1, 2005, at the 42nd plenary session.

How to Observe?

On the annual day of commemoration, the UN calls on all member states to honour the victims of the Holocaust and several million other victims of Nazi Germany. Moreover, it urged the development of educational programs to help prevent future genocides.

According to the UN, the member states share the responsibility for not only addressing the remaining trauma of the Holocaust but also maintaining effective policies, caring for historic sites, and encouraging education, documentation and research on the incident. While genocide and atrocity crimes continue to take place in other parts of the world, the UN calls on the world to speak out against antisemitism and hate speech.

Apart from visiting museums and learning more about Holocaust, International Holocaust Remembrance Day can also be observed by donating to victims or their families through charities, if necessary.

FAQs:

1. When is International Holocaust Remembrance Day?
   January 27
2. Who designated International Holocaust Remembrance Day?
   United Nations