Ankara urges that lessons be drawn from holocaust

Ankara yesterday urged greater awareness of the Holocaust, underlining that lessons remain to be drawn from this grave crime in order to combat today's challenges of racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism. The Foreign Ministry, in a statement marking Holocaust Remembrance Day, paid tribute to the millions of Jews and members of many other minority groups who perished under the Nazi regime during World War II. "On this day, which marks the 66th anniversary of the liberation of the largest Nazi death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, we emphasize that the Holocaust cannot be consigned to the past and forgotten and, by drawing lessons for the human race from this the gravest crime against humanity in history, we remember the importance of working together to create a better future and a peaceful world," the ministry said. "Acting on its unwavering belief in protecting and promoting democracy and human rights, Turkey is determined to continue its principled policy on remembering the Holocaust and drawing lessons from it and to combat racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism." It added, "On this occasion, we also respectfully remember our diplomats who did not hesitate to risk their lives to protect and save the persons targeted by the Nazi regime during World War II and who thereby make us proud of our history."