BUDAPEST, 27 January 2026 – Marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day, OSCE PA Special Representative on Combatting Racism, Anti-Semitism, Xenophobia, and Discrimination Timea Szabo (Hungary) issued the following statement:
“On this day, we honour the memory of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, and all those whose lives were brutally taken and who were violently deprived of their human dignity because of their faith, origin, beliefs, or perceived “otherness.” We remember not only the enormity of the loss, but also the strength and resilience of Jewish communities across the world. Commemorating the Holocaust is a solemn reminder of the devastating consequences of hatred and intolerance, and of our shared responsibility to act.
The Holocaust did not unfold suddenly; it was the result of a gradual escalation of prejudice, exclusion, and dehumanizing rhetoric that ultimately paved the way for systematic violence. Today, we see troubling echoes of these dynamics, as intolerance resurfaces, divisions deepen, and discrimination becomes increasingly normalized. Education, dialogue, and sustained engagement are essential – not only to preserve the memory of the Holocaust, but to prevent all forms of anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia, and other discrimination in our societies.
As Special Representative on Combatting Racism, Anti-Semitism, Xenophobia, and Discrimination, I am committed to ensuring that these issues remain at the forefront of the our Assembly’s agenda, and that our work continues – consistently and without exception – to promote equality, inclusion, and respect for human dignity to strengthen democratic institutions and foster societies in which every individual, regardless of faith, background, or identity, can live in peace and security.
Remembering the Holocaust requires action: to confront injustice wherever it arises, to stand in solidarity with those at risk, and to challenge hatred in all its forms. The memory of the six million Jewish victims and all those persecuted will continues to guide the OSCE PA’s commitment to building inclusive, democratic, and peaceful societies across the OSCE region.”
For more information on the work of the Special Representative, please click here.
