Holocaust victims remembered in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: The Embassy of Israel together with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany marked the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust by organizing a memorial event and exhibition titled ‘Auschwitz- A Place on Earth’ in Kathmandu on Monday.

During the memorial, six candles were lit, honoring the six million Jewish people, who were brutally and systematically murdered during the Holocaust, the Embassy of Israel in Kathmandu said in a statement. “A moving testimony from a Holocaust survivor was also screened, providing a powerful first-hand account of unimaginable suffering and survival,” it added.

“The Holocaust was not merely a tragedy of the Jewish people or Europe- it was a failure of humanity itself. It serves as a reminder of what can happen when hatred is normalized when prejudice goes unchecked, and when justice is denied,” Dr Surya Prasad Sharma Dhungel, a member of the National Human Rights Commission, said.

Also speaking on the occasion, US Ambassador Dean R Thompson highlighted the shared responsibility to stand against anti-Semitism, racism, and all forms of hatred and intolerance. He also conveyed greetings from the Secretary of State of Marco Rubio, who reaffirmed his unwavering support for the Holocaust survivors and their heirs. “I am confident that we will continue to be a partner in remembering and honoring the period of such devastation,” Henderzon said.

Likewise, Benjamin Siedel, Deputy Chief of Mission, on behalf of Dr Thomas Heinrich Prinz, German Ambassador to Nepal stated, said today marks a call to action. “The Holocaust did not begin with gas chambers; it began with words- words of hate, division and dehumanization. The sobering reality underscores our shared responsibility as democratic citizens to stand resolutely against anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia, and all forms of discrimination,” he added.

Also speaking on the occasion, the Ambassador of Israel, Shmulik Arie Bass, said humanity must commemorate this day in memory of the victims to educate the younger generation so that “a tragedy of such magnitude is never repeated”.

The event also featured a choir performance by students of Himali Boarding School and a musical piece performed by students of Kathmandu Pragya Kunja School.

According to the statement, the event also featured the exhibition, “Auschwitz- A Place on Earth”, aiming at educating about the human-made brutality and delivering the message that such cruelty should never be repeated. The exhibition is open to the public at Himali Boarding School from January 28 to February 2 and at Pragya Kunja School from February 3 to 9.