Holocaust Remembrance – Government warns of dangers of the crisis

67 years ago the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration was liberated by the Soviet Army.

On this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Austrian top government officials took the opportunity to warn against racist and antidemocratic tendencies in times of economic crisis. Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann and Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger commemorated the victims of National Socialism.

Economic crisis in particular are fertile ground for sentiments against minorities, racism, and anti-Semitism. "That's why we have to step up our efforts against the denial and trivialization of Nazi crimes", Mr. Faymann said. This is not only owed to the victims of the Nazi regime, but also means to "carry the responsibility to develop democracy and human rights into the future and to defend them against any provocation." Authoritarian tendencies, both in Austria and in Europe, have to be confronted with determination." This applies in particular to the youth, who has to be "encouraged to be vigilant."

Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger, too, emphasized that in times of economic hardship antidemocratic and racist tendencies tend to be amplified. But such a crisis must never serve as an excuse to modify human rights standards. To "clearly define these standards is a common goal of government and society; democracy and human rights are unique common goods that have to be defended", Mr. Spindelegger said. The Auschwitz concentration camp serves as a symbol for inapprehensible Nazi crimes and warns about the ultimate consequences of racism and intolerance. Mr. Spindelegger also referred to the six million Euro Austria is contributing towards the upkeep of the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial site.

Rodaina El Batnigi, chairwoman of the Federal Youth Representation, pointed out that young people would prove again and again that remembrance is important to them, while acknowledging that "certain circles have some catching-up to do." It is important to stand up against Holocaust denial and similar tendencies, while Ms. El-Batnigi finds it "intolerable" that 67 years after the liberation of Auschwitz public statements challenging these crimes still surface in public.

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