Statements and Speeches by Ministry Representatives 2005

UNGA 60, Plenary, Item 72 Holocaust Remembrance

Statement by Dr Andrew Southcott MP, Parliamentary Adviser to the Delegation of Australia to the United Nations, 31 October 2005

Mr President

I have the honour to speak today on behalf of Australia, New Zealand and Canada. It has now been sixty years since the world saw the defeat of a barbaric and tyrannical Nazi regime that had been bent on the systematic eradication of the Jewish people and the violent repression of many others.

Canada, Australia and New Zealand consider the genocide perpetrated against the Jewish people during the Holocaust to have been the most abhorrent of crimes. It cost millions their lives, and caused untold damage and destruction to the lives of many millions more. Its effects have been profound for a number of generations, and continue to be felt today. Our deep sense of loss and sorrow is not only for the many victims and their families, but also for the vitality and talents lost to the world as a whole.

Canada, Australia and New Zealand have been dismayed by recent signs of increased anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial, racism and religious intolerance, none of which is acceptable in any form, in any place. The Holocaust showed the depths to which humanity can descend and made clear the devastating consequences of anti-Semitism, racism and persecution.

Canada, Australia and New Zealand commend this resolution as an important step by the United Nations to ensure Holocaust remembrance and education can remain a priority for all countries and it serves as a strong reminder to us all of the need to remain vigilant and take steps to prevent such horror from happening again.

Thank you, Mr President.

back to 2005 speech index