29 January 2007

Holocaust Remembrance Day in the Prague Senate

Author: Martina Schneibergova

Like in a lot of other countries, in the Czech Republic 27 January is commemorated as the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust. The day calls to mind that on 27 January 1945 the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp was liberated. On the occasion of the Holocaust Remembrance Day 2007 a commemorative event was held in the Senate of the Czech parliament last Friday.

Holocaust survivors met with representatives of the Czech government, the parliament and of citizens' groups that are engaged in the struggle against anti-Semitism and racism. According to investigations conducted by the "Forum Against Anti-Semitism" on behalf of the Jewish Community in Prague, last year the lowest number of anti-Jewish attacks in comparison with previous years, was observed in the Czech Republic. The Secretary of the Czech Federation od Jewish Communities, Tomas Kraus, said: "What we investigated were anti-Semitic comments that were quite clear. But there is also a so-called "latent anti-Semitism" existing. In general, however, it can be stated that in the Czech Republic the problem of anti-Semitism is not as serious as maybe in other countries. This has to do with the fact that there exists a traditional tolerance towards minorities living in the Czech Republic - with only one exception: the Roma minority. But generally speaking, the Jewish Community does not face any major problems as regards anti-Semitism."

The Vice-President of the International Auschwitz Committee, Christoph Heubner, also participated in the commemorative event of the Prague Senate. Amongst other things he explained how the less noticeable, so-called latent anti-Semitism should be combatted. "I think that >educational work< is the keyword", Heubner said. "Latent anti-Semitism in the middle of society still exists in many European countries. Anti-Semitism behind closed doors, anti-Semitic remarks made in pubs. The majority of these people do not have any contacts to Jews, to Jewish life at all, but nevertheless they are influenced by the same prejudices that have prevailed for centuries. At this point the only thing you can do is to strengthen the educational work and confront the people with the final result of this anti-Semitism, which was Auschwitz. You have to ask them: Is that the road which the European countries should follow – a road of intolerance, threat, humiliation towards minorities, of excluding people? Do you want to live in such a society?"

Afterwards I asked the Vice-President of the International Auschwitz Committee whether during the German Presidency of the European Council the struggle against the denial of the holocaust will be intensified and how this could be done.

"We are glad that the German Federal government continues to feel Germany's particular obligation which, in the historical context, is absolutely correct. In the European context it must be clear, that legislation against holocaust denial does not only exist in Germany and that it is necessary to implement this legislation throughout Europe. Then the persecution of right-wing extremists beyond the borders by co-ordinated police action  would be easier and incontestable. This includes of course that today all these states have to react in a clear way to any person calling for the obliteration of the state of Israel. These threats against the state of Israel are a consequence of anti-Semitism. The position of the European states must also be reflected in a consistent policy against right-wing extremists who of course support what Mr. Ahmadinidjad says. He is their new hero. We have to fight against this new hero and also against all those who listen to him." That's what the Vice-President of the International Auschwitz Committee, Christoph Heubner, said.

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