On a recent trip to Washington DC, I finally had the opportunity to visit the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. I can't say why it has taken me so long to visit, except to say that every trip I take to DC seems to be jam packed. I thought I was prepared for what I would see but quickly realized I was not. That's because the reality is you can never be prepared to bear witness to these types of horrors. No matter how much I have studied and worked on genocide prevention every story is its own, and with it comes the thoughts and emotions that we must feel when we witness atrocities - how could this have possibly happened, and what can I do to make sure it never does again?
As I made my way through the permanent exhibit, I saw the varying experiences of each community, in each village, town, city, in each country. The bravery and empathy displayed by those who risked their own lives to save others; the perseverance, hope, and will to survive by so many who were persecuted and targeted; but also the unimaginable pain and terror some chose to inflict. The reality is that humans are capable of extraordinary actions - both great and horrible.
Since its dedication in 1993 the US Holocaust Memorial Museum has welcomed more than 47 million visitors, including 100 heads of state and more than 11 million school-age children. The permanent exhibit is moving and thought provoking. At one moment you can be enraged at what took place during the Holocaust, and at another inspired by the countless stories of hope and good will. So too is another exhibit in the Museum - Burma's Path to Genocide. This exhibit explores the decades long persecution and attempted erasure of the Rohingya of Burma.
It was at the USHMM that on March 21, 2022 Secretary of State Blinken officially determined that members of the Burmese military committed genocide and crimes against humanity against Rohingya. Blinken made this announcement after touring the exhibit on the Rohingya. In his speech, he said, "One of the unsettling truths of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is that there’s never a time I visit here when its lessons do not feel deeply resonant. But I have to tell you, I can recall few times when that history felt so urgent, or the responsibility it imparts on all of us so pressing. . . . By learning to spot the signs of the worst atrocities, we’re empowered to prevent them."
Almost one year since Secretary Blinken's Rohingya genocide determination there has been no meaningful change for the Rohingya community. While what Secretary Blinken said was true, by learning we are empowered to prevent atrocities, we must continually work to take substantive action to truly mean Never Again.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day is January 27. It was officially proclaimed in 2005 by a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly. The resolution, in part reads:
Recalling the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which was adopted in order to avoid repetition of genocides such as those committed by the Nazi regime,
Recalling also the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind,
Reaffirming that the Holocaust, which resulted in the murder of one third of the Jewish people, along with countless members of other minorities, will forever be a warning to all people of the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice,
Requests the Secretary-General to establish a programme of outreach on the subject of the “Holocaust and the United Nations” as well as measures to mobilize civil society for Holocaust remembrance and education, in order to help to prevent future acts of genocide.
It is with the intention of honoring this day and in memory of all of the lives tragically lost in the Holocaust that we must commit ourselves to stop repeating history. The US Holocaust Memorial Museum and so many other institutions, educators, survivors and advocates have dedicated themselves to this work. Today, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, may we pledge to continue these efforts. As Anne Frank once said, "What is done cannot be undone but one can prevent it being done again."
Lauren Fortgang is the co-founder and director of the Never Again Coalition.