The President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Marc Cools, has made the following statement on the occasion of International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, 27 January:

“Today marks 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, which has revealed to the world the horrors of the Holocaust. As we pay tribute to all those who lost their lives, more than ever we share our determination to remember where hatred and disregard for human dignity can lead.

“With extremist political discourse and divisive rhetoric on the rise again today, with an alarming increase in antisemitic violence and xenophobic hatred, we must continue to stand guard of democratic values and principles. Our towns and cities, provinces and regions must be bastions of inclusion, equal participation and peaceful living-together of all citizens, and safe places for them to live and work.

“As those closest to the citizens, local and regional authorities are in a key position to anchor democratic values in our communities, fight prejudice and foster dialogue and trust among residents. It remains our responsibility as local and regional elected representatives to stand up against intolerance and hatred and build strong, resilient and inclusive communities, to serve as a bulwark against violent extremism”.