Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

NEW YORK – 27 January, 2025: “As we mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, we remember the victims of the Holocaust, many of them children, and reflect on the ever present dangers of anti-Semitism.

“It has been exactly twenty years since the United Nations General Assembly designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Yet, around the world, there is a growing and chilling rise in anti-Semitism and hate speech.

“Anti-Semitism and other forms of discriminatory or hateful acts targeting any group, especially children, must always be rejected in the strongest terms.

“Children are not born with hate in their hearts – and they must never be the target of it. Anti-Semitism, racism, and discrimination are direct attacks on the rights and well-being of children. There should be no place for hatred in this world.”

#####

Notes for editors:

For more information, please contact:

UNICEF UK Press Office, [email protected], +44 207 375 6030

About UNICEF:

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.

United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland).

For more information visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube