When these days, on the occasion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day (27 January), the international community reiterates its commitment to the pledges “we remember” and “never again”, and stresses that the tragedy of the Holocaust serves as a powerful reminder about the danger of war and the value of peace, russia pursues for already almost one year its full-scale invasion and genocidal war against Ukraine.

The whole civilized world is profoundly shocked by the mass atrocities committed by russian armed forces in the invaded Ukrainian territories, in particular in Bucha, Borodyanka, Irpin, Izium, Lyman and other places, which manifested in numerous cases of summary execution, murder, torture and rape. russia resorted to its criminal practice of filtration camps. Thousands of Ukrainian citizens, including children, are forcibly deported to russia. Civilian population and critical infrastructure of Ukraine are under constant russian missile and artillery strikes causing enormous casualties and destruction.

Mass atrocity crimes by russian troops against civilians in Ukraine are not just war crimes but a deliberate and brutal murder of Ukrainians because they are Ukrainians.

In 2021, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law of Ukraine “On preventing and combating anti-Semitism in Ukraine”, which incorporates into our national legislation the definition of anti-Semitism, endorsed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. In particular, it is stipulated that “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

Ukraine is proud to be a co-sponsor of the UN General Assembly resolution condemning Holocaust denial.

On several occasions in the past Ukraine expressed its view about the need for the OSCE to adopt the above-quoted working definition of anti-Semitism, endorsed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

We regret that in the past few years it has not been possible due to the objection of one participating State (russia), who demonstrates full disregard to all OSCE core principles and values. We encourage the OSCE Chairpersonship to steer the efforts towards the adoption of a respective OSCE document.