27/01/2025
Statement on the 80th Anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau’s Liberation
On the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camps, the Advisory Council on Youth of the Council of Europe solemnly remembers the six million Jews and millions of other victims - including Roma and Travellers, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and others - who were persecuted and murdered during the . The horrors of the Holocaust serve as a powerful reminder of the depths to which hate, violent extremism, fascism, and antisemitism can plunge humanity.
Sadly, the lessons of the Holocaust feel ever more urgent. In recent years, has surged in society. This upsurge of hate contradicts the principles underpinning democratic societies and the human rights framework championed by the Council of Europe, including the European Convention on Human Rights ( ).
The Advisory Council on Youth calls upon all Member States and their ministries of Education to take immediate, concrete action to commit to educating current and future generations about the dangers of indifference. In this spirit, The Advisory Council commits to continuing to advance youth rights, combat and intolerance, and promote awareness through education and peaceful dialogue. We stand ready to support Member States in their efforts to combat hate and safeguard the memory of those lost in the , ensuring a future where becomes a reality.
Read the full statement on our website.
