Preventing Anti-Semitism in Europe Through Holocaust Remembrance and Education

21-03-2022

Manon Picard

International Justice and Human Rights Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence.

On the 17th of March 2022 the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted a Recommendation on “passing on remembrance of the holocaust and preventing crimes against humanity”. The general aim of the recommendation is for all 46 Member States of the Council of Europe to pass on the memory of the holocaust in a manner suited for a 21st century society and to “raise awareness” of the dangers of new crimes against humanity. 

The Recommendation emphasises on the “paramount importance” of the history of the Holocaust and, as a history subject, wishes for it to be conveyed as a “unique” event. The history of the resistance movement “must aid reflection on what makes a society in crisis exclude, dominate and alienate ethnic, national, linguistic, “racial” or religious minorities”. In order to achieve these aims the educational authorities of each Member State are encouraged to update their teaching methods regarding the subject and the public authorities should restore memorial sites, promote remembrance and create events to remember the historical events of the Holocaust. 

This Recommendation was welcomed by all as the remembrance of the Holocaust is a collective responsibility amongst European States. The Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić made the following statement in that regard:

“Learning and teaching about the Holocaust is vital to prevent future crimes against humanity. At a time when anti-semitism is on the rise, we must spare no effort to remember the victims and to ensure that remembrance will continue in future”. 

Sources and further reading:

Council of Europe. (2022, March 17). European Governments must Ensure Holocaust Remembrance and Education to Combat Anti-Semitism. Newsroom – Council of Europe. Retrieved March 21, 2022, from https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/european-governments-must-ensure-holocaust-remembrance-and-education-to-combat-anti-semitism

Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. (2022, March 17). Recommendation CM/Rec (2022)5 of the Committee of Ministers to Member States on Passing on Remembrance of the Holocaust and Preventing Crimes Against Humanity. https://search.coe.int/cm/pages/result_details.aspx?objectid=0900001680a5ddcd