NAIROBI, 28 January 2025 ¨C With unwavering resolve and a message of hope, Holocaust survivor Mr. Lyonell Fliss urged humanity to embrace peace and mutual respect during the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, held at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON).
Addressing an audience of over 500 attendees, including more than 300 university students, diplomats, religious leaders, and UN officials, Mr. Fliss shared his powerful testimony, marking 80 years since the end of the Holocaust. His message aligned with this year¡¯s theme: ¡°Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights.¡±
Despite the passage of eight decades, Mr. Fliss remains dedicated to educating future generations about the dangers of hate, antisemitism, and fascism. ¡°I want to see a world at peace, free from conflict,¡± he stated firmly.
He recounted his childhood in the Romanian town of Iasi, where he bore witness to the brutal atrocities of the Holocaust. His father, like many others, was taken away and suffocated in a train¡ªone of the countless inhumane acts committed during that dark chapter of history. Yet, amid the terror, he recalled an extraordinary moment of kindness: a Romanian soldier who risked his own life to save his family from extermination.
When asked if he forgives those responsible for the Holocaust, Mr. Fliss made it clear that he does not hold the children of the perpetrators accountable. Instead, he focuses on educating people to prevent history from repeating itself.
¡°Every agreement comes from reciprocal respect,¡± he emphasized. ¡°Words are more powerful than bullets, so we must choose them carefully.¡± In his parting remarks, he called on all present to respect one another, reminding them that ¡°no one is born superior to another¡± and that ¡°this planet has enough space for everyone to live in peace and harmony.¡±
The event featured the solemn lighting of six candles by key dignitaries, symbolizing the six million Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust. UNON Director-General Zainab Hawa Bangura, who hosted the commemoration in partnership with the Embassy of Israel, delivered the UN Secretary-General¡¯s message. ¡°The theme reflects the critical relevance of Holocaust remembrance for today, where the dignity and human rights of our fellow global citizens are under daily attack,¡± the statement read, warning against the dangers of hatred and dehumanization.
Ambassador Michael Lotem of Israel underscored the ongoing challenge of combating antisemitism, citing a recent survey by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and Ipsos, which found that 20% of people worldwide have never heard of the Holocaust, while 46%¡ªan estimated 2.2 billion people¡ªharbor deep-seated antisemitic attitudes. He urged governments to take a stronger stance against antisemitism and educate their citizens on its dangers.
Germany¡¯s Ambassador to Kenya, Mr. Sebastian Groth, also delivered a powerful message, stressing the importance of learning from the past to prevent future atrocities.
The commemoration concluded with an interactive panel discussion, where university students engaged directly with Mr. Fliss and Ambassador Lotem, reflecting on the lessons of history. Attendees also viewed exhibitions, including ¡°Shoah¡ªThe Holocaust: How Was It Humanly Possible?¡±
Mr. Fliss¡¯s story serves as a poignant reminder that remembrance is not just about the past¡ªit is a call to action to build a future free of hatred and division.
As part of the Department of Global Communications outreach efforts in universities, UNIS Nairobi is also sharing an exhibition titled ¡°The State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda¡±, in both English and Kiswahili.
The exhibition examines how the Nazis used propaganda to win broad voter support in Germany¡¯s young democracy after the First World War, implement radical programmes under the party¡¯s dictatorship in the 1930s, and justify war and mass murder.
The exhibition emphasises why the issue of propaganda matters and challenges to question, analyse, and seek the truth.
For more on the UN¡¯s Holocaust Outreach Programme, visit: Outreach Programme on the Holocaust | United Nations.
