31.07.2015

2 august – International Remembrance Day of the Pharrajimos

Moment of Silence on 2 August 2015 at noon

Over 3,000 Roma were exterminated during the night of 2-3 August 1944 in “Zigeunerlager BIII” at Auschwitz – Birkenau. The Pharrajimos is by far the biggest tragedy in the history of the Roma. It has traumatised the Roma till this day. The Holocaust of the Roma has determined our attitude in defending universal human rights, our need for freedom, and our stance towards well-meant multicultural ideals in today’s Europe.

On the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Holocaust of the Roma during the Second World War, the European Roma and Travellers Forum (ERTF) calls on everyone to observe a moment of silence on 2 august 2015, at noon, in memory of the Roma victims.

Remembering the Holocaust of the Roma is the key to fighting modern day racism and intolerance. It means a commitment to value the human being, its dignity and rights. Remembering is not enough; laws, which protect the dignity and rights of human beings, have to follow. That was the logic of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and that is the logic of ensuring the principles of equality and non - discrimination in basic laws or constitutions. In the same way, law enforcement tools must be applied effectively to prevent or punish violent manifestations of racist and extremist ideologies.

As part of the commitments to strengthen security and defend human rights, the ERTF have pledged to promote remembrance of the Holocaust on Roma. We believe that establishing an International Remembrance day of the Pharrajimos would increase awareness of the conditions of the Roma both in the past and today and help to assert their identity as a people.