Today January 27 is the International Holocaust Remembrance Day which is being observed across the world.
The Holocaust is central to Holocaust Memorial Day to remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered, and the millions more murdered by the Nazi regime across German-occupied Europe and its collaborators during World War II from 1941-1945 in Europe.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2005 establishing the January 27 as an International Holocaust Remembrance Day to commemorate of the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the most notorious of the Nazi German death camps.
27 January 2026 marked the 81st anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp. On this International Day jews remember the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp on 27 January 1945 and honour the victims of Nazi persecution taking time and reflect on the painful lessons from one of the very darkest chapters of European history.
The day encourages remembrance in a world scarred by prejudice and systematic, targeted persecution but also threatens the fabric of civilisation, and discrimination and persecution must still be resisted every day.
In Nepal also, marking the UN International Day for the commemoration of the Holocaust the Embassy of Israel in Nepal organized a memorial event in Kathmandu under the global theme “Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights.”
Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, media personalities and friends of Israel were presented at the event.
Speaking at the function, Ambassador of Israel to Nepal H.E. Ambassador Shmulik Arie Bass said “The Holocaust is a black mark on human history.”
“Racial discrimination and the desire to exterminate a people must not happen again,” he added.
Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal Top Bahadur Magar said, “The Holocaust has had profound impact on International Human Rights Law, resulting in the United Nation’s adoption of foundational documents in 1948: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in which Nepal is a state party.”
He further said, “We seek a world of hope, tolerance and social justice where people live with dignity and equality.”
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Ambassador Designate of Australia to Nepal and DCM at Embassy of Israel in Nepal H.E. Udo Volz, H.E. Simon Ernst and Ms. Janan Bebar respectively shared their thoughts.
Also, a deeply moving testimony was shared by the Holocaust Survivor Mrs. Sophia Geller, offering a powerful personal account recalling her harrowing experiences during the Holocaust.
Marking the importance of eating falafel on every January 18 as a sign of freedom and to celebrate life, the video of Holocaust Survivor, Mr. Dugo who began the tradition of eating falafel was screened.
Attended guests were entertained with falafel too.
The Embassy of Israel reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to Holocaust education and to promoting the values of peace, tolerance, and mutual respect.
Moments of remembrance were also interwoven with music.
Meanwhile, in an annual report published by Tel Aviv University has outlined growing focus on the rescuers of Jews with the most prominent trend in Holocaust commemoration worldwide by sharing the truth of the Holocaust and by confronting antisemitism.
As per the report, there are approximately 15.7 to 15.8 million Jews worldwide. Among them, the 7.2 million Jews living in Israel that makes up 46% of world Jewry. Around 6 million Jews are living in the United States and rest have been scattered around various countries of the globe.
(Source: part of embassy press release includes)
