Minister for Foreign Affairs Soini: Human dignity and human rights are central in cooperation between nations

Press release 18/2016
28 January 2016

The Government of Finland works for human rights and human dignity as well as fights against all forms of violence, discrimination and racism. We condemn violence against religious communities. Freedom of religion is universal, emphasized Foreign Minister Timo Soini in his address at the main event commemorating the International Holocaust Remembrance Day on 27 January 2016.

The Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The liberation of the concentration camp was a strong expression of willingness to build a new kind of Europe and world: never again like the one of the past.

"By participating in the Remembrance Day ceremonies, the Government honours the victims of the holocaust and the survivors and their families. At the same time we declare that our aim is to prevent recurring genocides", Soini stressed.

Last year's explosive increase of migration impacts European societies, including Finland, in many ways. Knowledge of the Holocaust and other genocides can be helpful when solutions are sought to the problems. Europe is a destination for many who flee large-scale and organized violence. Based on our earlier experience, migration flows are manageable, if the countries of Europe are prepared to cooperate effectively. Finland emphasizes the responsibility of all EU member states.

In his speech, Foreign Minister Soini said that in the activities commemorating the Holocaust, special attention is paid to the quality of school education and teacher training. The level and scope of Finnish education have been acknowledged internationally.

Events to commemorate the victims of the Holocause and those who survived the concentration camps are organized in different parts of the world. In Helsinki, the main event was preceded by a special occasion for specialists, focusing on the current state and future of human rights and Holocaust issues in education.

The event was organized by the Finnish Holocaust Remembrance Association in cooperation with the Finnish National Board of Education, the Association for Teachers of History and Social Studies in Finland, and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Inquiries: Kaisa Honka-Hallila, Diplomatic Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 295 351 780.