The Commemoration of Holocaust victims reminds us of the unimaginable crimes and sufferings of millions of people, but at the same time, makes us responsible and obliges us to stand firm against any manifestations of intolerance that are based on ethnic, racial or religious criteria.
I recently visited Yad Vashem Museum in Israel, an overwhelming personal experience that has left its mark on how I realized the unprecedented tragedy of the Holocaust. I was touched by the life stories of victims of this painful period in human history, evoked directly or indirectly. I realized once again that the generation to which I belong has a duty to keep alive the memory of the victims and to educate children, young people, in the spirit of tolerance and diversity, for this tragedy never to be repeated.
As a politician, as Prime Minister, I condemned racial discrimination, xenophobia, anti-Semitism. Today, internationally, Romania promotes an active policy to combat these phenomena and the history of the Holocaust is studied in schools and universities, within the Ellie Wiesel National Institute. Monuments and memorials of the Holocaust, located in Romania are part of the international circuit. Also, I remind the Righteous among the Nations, including many Romanians who risked their lives to help their fellow citizens.
I reaffirm my belief that promoting human rights and freedoms, respect for oneself and for others, tolerance and humanity, not least, are fundamental values of a mature society.
Emil Boc,
Prime Minister of Romania