MESSAGE DU DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL DE L'OFFICE DES NATIONS UNIES À GENÈVE À L'OCCASION DE LA PROJECTION DU FILM «NOIRS DANS LES CAMPS NAZIS» (en anglais)

Following is the message by Sergei Ordzhonikidze, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, which was delivered on his behalf this evening by Ruth Hahn-Weinert, the Officer-in-Charge of the Library of the United Nations Office at Geneva, at the screening of the film "Noirs dans les camps Nazis" at the Palais des Nations:

" It is a pleasure to welcome you all to the Palais des Nations for the screening of this outstanding documentary. In exposing aspects of the holocaust that may not be widely known, the film adds another important dimension to our collective knowledge about the scope of the atrocities. Such a fuller understanding of the extent and reach of the Holocaust is critical to our ability to use the lessons learnt to prevent the horrors of the camps from reoccurring. Therefore, as this film does, we need to constantly strive to uncover little-known elements that may enhance this understanding.

The timing of this screening is important. This year, we mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi camps. We mark also the 60th anniversary of the United Nations that was created – as it is stated in the preamble to the Charter – to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. The United Nations was thus built on our collective resolve to allowing the lessons of the past to guide our present and future actions so as to enable us to confront new challenges and threats.

It has been said that whoever closes his eyes to the past is blind to the present. We therefore need to remember the inhumanity to be able to save succeeding generations. That is why the United Nations General Assembly has declared 8 and 9 May of this year as a time of remembrance and reconciliation. The two are closely connected. There can be no reconciliation without remembrance.

While recognizing that Member States may have individual days of victory, liberation and commemoration, the General Assembly invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations and individuals to observe annually either one or both of these days to pay tribute to all victims of the Second World War. May 8 and 9 will therefore provide another occasion for reaffirming our commitment to recalling the past to help us shoulder present responsibilities.

I hope that everybody here takes the opportunity this evening – and, of course, on 8 and 9 of May – to reflect on the important lessons of the past. This knowledge is essential for us to honour the commitments of the Charter: to save succeeding generations. And that is the most appropriate tribute we could pay to all the victims".


For use of the information media; not an official record

DG05020E