Tribute to Holocaust victims worldwide by Foreign Affairs Ministry

The Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) pays tribute to the Holocaust victims worldwide and expresses solidarity with the survivors of the tragic events during WWII, a MAE release sent to AGERPRES informs. 

On the very day of the Holocaust Remembrance Day in Romania, MAE reiterates that the promotion of diversity, respect for the other, citizens' equality as regards the fundamental rights and freedoms are essential principles for a democratic society's development. 

'Understanding and respect are all the more important as today new manifestations of anti-Semitism occurring in several states can be noticed, within certain societies with a consolidated democracy on the European continent, included. MAE stresses the significant efforts Romania has carried out lately as regards the assuming of its past, the condemnation of the Holocaust denial and of anti-Semitism,' the release says. 

Thus, in March 2016 - March 2017, Romania was at the wheel of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and backed the adoption of the working definition of anti-Semitism within the organization. In June 2018, two years after the adoption of the definition, Romania's Parliament has passed a special law on combating anti-Semitism that defines anti-Semitism in the terms used in the IHRA definition and incriminates the distribution and promotion of anti-Semitic content materials, as well as the promotion of anti-Semitic ideas, conceptions or doctrines. The passing of this law is the expression of Romania's commitment to its fight against anti-Semitism, against the hate-motivated offences and any manifestations of racism, xenophobia, racial discrimination and intolerance. 

In Romania, through the Government Decision no. 672 / 5 May 2004, the date of 9 October (marking the beginning of the Jews' deportation to Transnistria, in 1941) was approved for the official national commemoration of the Holocaust Remembrance Day.