Parliament on Monday commemorated the Holocaust Remembrance Day, with MPs emphasizing that history must not repeat itself, and it is the world’s duty to remember the darkest chapter in humanity’s history.
Culture Minister Owen Bonnici gave a speech commemorating 27 January, which has been declared as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2005 by the United Nations.
Bonnici said that the Holocaust was a unique event, and it should be remembered not simply with sorrow for the innocent victims of all ages and genders, but also to serve as a lasting lesson about humanity's capacity to persecute others without mercy or remorse.
He said that the Holocaust was not a mistake or coincidence, nor did it occur overnight. It was rooted in ideologies cultivated by political organizations and individuals over time and built upon narratives that eventually led to organisations dedicated to the extermination of groups and even entire populations.
Bonnici said that it is therefore crucial to mark this day, saying that history shows how quickly such stereotypes can be exploited and reinforced by individuals and organizations filled with hatred.
He said that 6 million Jews died in the Holocaust, as well as other groups and people.
“On this day, we join the global effort to counter false narratives that are increasingly spreading around the world,” Bonnici said.
False narratives about the Holocaust led to another resolution by the United Nations which specifically defined Holocaust denial and the distortion of facts, Bonnici said.
He urged all MPs to unite on matters related to the Holocaust, anti-Semitism and the fight against all forms of persecution and stereotyping.
“Let us remember the victims, many of whom remain nameless to this day. Let us also remember the pact made by nations to uphold the universal rights of humanity, for which the Jewish people and others paid such a steep price,” Bonnici said.
PN MP Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici said that it is crucial to remember this day, and remember how wrong Nazism was, and how criminal it is to say that the Holocaust did not happen.
He said that it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that lessons were learnt, and that which happened should never happen again.
Mifsud Bonnici also said that a law should be implemented in the country’s legal system so that a full Parliamentary session could be dedicated for remembering the Holocaust on 27 January, even bringing victims to recount their story.
He said that documentaries describing the horrors which happened in an educational manner should be organised, and future generations should be taught and reminded of these events.
Deputy Speaker David Agius said that the world has become multicultural, and people must adapt to the times and understand that each person has value, no matter their race, background, religion or sexuality.
He commended the Israel-Gaza ceasefire, but said that so many lives were unnecessarily lost at this point.
“Was the Holocaust not enough for us to learn?” Agius said, remembering all the innocent victims which died in the Israel-Palestine conflict and in Ukraine.
Agius said that politicians must not be the ones to create or promote extremist ideologies, but must work for more inclusivity and progress to be part of a future of peace and inclusion.