On August 2, the international community commemorates International Roma Holocaust Remembrance Day – a day of remembrance for the victims of the Nazi genocide of the Roma people during World War II. This day marks the 80th anniversary of the horrific crime against humanity that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Roma.
On the night of August 2-3, 1944, the Nazis exterminated the last prisoners of the so-called "Gypsy camp" - about 3,000 people - at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. This date became another bloody symbol of the genocide of the Romani people during World War II.
During World War II, the Nazis, implementing a policy of genocide, deported from occupied countries and tortured in concentration camps from 600,000 to 1.5 million Roma. A large number of Roma were also exterminated in forced labor camps and places of nomadism.
In Ukraine, the Roma who lived in Kyiv and became one of the first victims of Babyn Yar suffered the most losses.
International Roma Holocaust Remembrance Day reminds us of the terrible consequences of hatred, racism and discrimination. It highlights the critical importance of protecting human rights and national minorities in today's world.
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Roma, on an equal footing with all citizens of Ukraine, have been resisting the Russian aggressor and engaging in volunteer and humanitarian activities.
Now, more than ever, the unity and solidarity of the Ukrainian people are important in order to defeat the enemy, to persevere, and to win.
We remember. We unite. We will win!