OSCE: Fighting anti-Semitism and intolerance is crucial

BELGRADE/AUSCHWITZ/VIENNA - On the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration camp, officials of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on Tuesday highlighted the importance for societies to oppose the contemporary challenges of anti-Semitism, racism and other forms of intolerance.

"This anniversary is a unique opportunity for societies across the OSCE region to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust and pay tribute to survivors and rescuers," said Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, who is also the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.

"As the OSCE Chair, Serbia is committed to maintaining the Organisation's status as one of the leaders in combating anti-Semitism, resolved to preserve remembrance of the Holocaust," an OSCE statement quoted Dacic as saying.

"We call on OSCE participating states to support the valuable work done by educators and civil society to make sure that young people have the opportunity to learn about this atrocity," Dacic added.

"Lessons learnt from the past must help us overcome prejudice and avoid such catastrophes in the future, as well as to enhance stability, security and social well-being, both within individual societies and in relations among states," he concluded.

Attending Tuesday's commemoration for Holocaust victims at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), stressed the importance of remembrance of the horrendous crimes.

"The Holocaust, the persecution of the Roma and Sinti and the murders of the countless other victims of the Nazi regime are powerful reminders of the danger intolerance, discrimination and hatred pose to us all,...