On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina pauses to reflect on the millions of people who were persecuted and murdered by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. The unimaginable suffering of Jews, Slavs, Roma and Sinti, individuals with disabilities, sexual and religious minorities, and many others during one of the darkest chapters in human history serves as a stark but necessary reminder that we must prevent the recurrence of such inhumanity.
Unfortunately, as evidenced in Bosnia and Herzegovina and around the world, we have failed to learn these lessons. Whilst the unspeakable brutality of the Holocaust provided the vocabulary through which we now attempt to understand the crime of genocide, we still struggle to comprehend the true extent of such horrors. Denialism, the glorification of war criminals, and a disturbing rise in hate incidents and speech, locally and globally, often undermine our calls for "never again" and for the unconditional recognition and respect for victims of such crimes.
The echoes of the Holocaust underscore our individual and collective responsibility to preserve and protect the human rights of all, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, race or religion. Through education, dialogue, and a steadfast commitment to justice and accountability, we can prevent the recurrence of history's gravest mistakes.
The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina reiterates its dedication to combatting all forms of discrimination and intolerance. As individuals, communities and governments, we must denounce hatred wherever and whenever it arises while acting jointly to promote empathy and respect. Together, we can move towards a future shaped by tolerance and dignity.
