Marking 80 Years Since End of Holocaust, UN Chief Urges World to 'Never Waver in Fight' for Human Rights

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message to International Holocaust Remembrance Service at Park East Synagogue, delivered by Miguel Ángel Moratinos Cuyaubé, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, in New York today:

It is an honour to send you a message today.  At this sombre occasion, I want to acknowledge that more than a year has passed since the appalling 7 October 2023 terror attacks by Hamas.  We welcome, at long last, the ceasefire and hostage-release deal.  The deal offers hope, as well as much needed relief.  The United Nations will do our utmost to ensure it leads to the release of all hostages and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

This year marks 80 years since the end of the Holocaust.  The history of the Holocaust is one of total moral collapse, dehumanization, complicity and unimaginable atrocities.  But, amidst all the horror, there are also stories of humanity, and of courage.

I think of those victims who resisted Nazi brutality and supported one another with kindness and solidarity.  I think of those survivors who have told their stories to the world, including Rabbi Schneier and others present today.  We owe you — and the children of survivors who made sure those stories lived on — a profound debt of gratitude.  And I think of those noble people of conscience who may not have been targeted by the Nazis, but were so horrified by what they saw that they felt compelled to act.

That includes a number of diplomats who used their power to save lives.  They were from a variety of countries, including many represented here today.

One important example from my own country, Portugal, is Aristides de Sousa Mendes.  Stationed in Bordeaux, as the Nazis approached in 1940, Sr. Sousa Mendes faced crowds desperate for visas out of France.

The orders of the Portuguese Government were clear.  The infamous “Circular 14” had been issued, denying visas for refugees’ safe passage to Portugal — with Jews named specifically.  Sr. Sousa Mendes decided to disobey and worked quite literally day and night to issue thousands of visas, saving countless lives.

The Government punished Sr. Sousa Mendes for his defiance.  He died in poverty, after being expelled from the diplomatic corps without pension.  But, his extraordinary efforts have not been forgotten.  In 1966, he was recognized as one of the Righteous Among the Nations, and last year, I was pleased to support the opening of a museum in his honour in Portugal.

In these days of global turmoil, rising antisemitism and growing hate towards many communities, it is vital that we remember the stories of people like Sr. Sousa Mendes, who used their power for good in the worst of times.  They remind us that it is our duty — individually and collectively — to stand with humanity and against bigotry and discrimination.

In that spirit, I am pleased to report that the United Nations has launched an Action Plan to Enhance Monitoring and Response to Antisemitism.  We have long worked to combat this evil, through a wide range of activities, including our Holocaust Outreach Programme.  This new Plan builds on that work, and the insights of people like Rabbi Schneier, to recommend ways the United Nations system will further enhance efforts to combat antisemitism.

This goes to the heart of the mission of the United Nations, which was established in the aftermath of the Holocaust.  We will never waver in the fight for a world that promotes and protects the human rights of all.