Statement by H.E. the Hon Robert Hill, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations to the United Nations General Assembly on Item 59: Holocaust remembrance
3 November 2008
(As delivered)
It is now over 60 years since the world saw the defeat of a barbaric and tyrannical Nazi regime that had been set on the systematic eradication of the Jewish people.
Australia considers the genocide perpetrated against the Jewish people during the Holocaust as the most abhorrent of crimes. It cost many millions of lives, and caused immeasurable damage and dislocation to the lives of many millions more. Its effects have been profound for a number of generations, and continue to be felt today.
The Holocaust showed the depths to which humankind can descend and made clear to the world the devastating consequences of anti-Semitism, racial hatred and persecution. However, it is a sad fact that anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial, racism and religious intolerance continue to exist to this day.
Australia commends the work of the United Nations’ ‘Programme of outreach of the “Holocaust and the United Nations”’ as detailed in the Secretary General’s report. Since its establishment in 2006, the programme has worked actively to meet the aims of the United Nations resolution 60/7 on Holocaust Remembrance, including through memorial and educational activities, exhibitions and media outreach. Raising awareness of the Holocaust not only helps us to remember the many victims, but also serves as a reminder of the need to remain vigilant and to take steps to prevent such a horror from happening again.