President Tsai's remarks to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day
On the afternoon of February 25, President Tsai Ing-wen delivered remarks at activities commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The president emphasized that Taiwan will continue to stand together with the international community to ensure the universal values of human rights, freedom, and justice, and build a future free from hatred and discrimination. She also mentioned that we have worked to establish a human rights museum, which will engage with institutions in Israel, Germany, and across Europe, so that we can strengthen human rights education for the next generation.
The following is a transcript of President Tsai's remarks:
Representative Asher Yarden (Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei);
Director General Martin Eberts (German Institute in Taipei);
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen:
This is the third consecutive year this event has been held in Taiwan. Each year, the event gives us the opportunity to honor, remember, and reflect.
I am grateful to Representative Yarden from Israel and Director General Eberts from Germany, as well as all of the people who were involved in putting together this important event.
Last year, Representative Yarden made an important point. He said: "Numbers don't tell the whole story." Six million isn't just a number. It represents the lives of six million people.
The victims of the Holocaust were individuals – mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends, and neighbors – who lost their lives in a time of unparalleled inhumanity.
Taiwan joins the international community in remembering these individuals. We must never forget why their lives were cut short. We affirm our responsibilities to "Never Forget. Never Again."
We must continue to reflect on all we can do as individuals – and together as a country – to ensure that these events never take place again anywhere in the world.
While the memorials and museums in Europe--from Auschwitz to shores of the Danube River – may seem distant to Taiwan, they tell the story of a common bond that all of humanity has a common responsibility to uphold the universal values of human rights, freedom, and justice. This responsibility doesn't only exist because of the past, it exists because we want to build a future free from hatred and discrimination.
Taiwan will continue to stand together with the international community to ensure that this message is never lost or distorted.
Over the past two years, we have worked on establishing a human rights museum in Taiwan. Once it is launched, we hope this museum will engage with institutions in Israel, Germany, and across Europe, so that we can strengthen human rights education for our next generation.
Again, I want to express my appreciation to both the Israeli and German offices for holding this event in Taiwan. I sincerely hope that through these opportunities, year after year, we will fulfill our solemn vow: Never Forget. Never Again. Thank you.