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WARSAW, 2 August 2025 — Commemorating the genocide of Roma and Sinti during the Holocaust is essential to addressing ongoing racism, hate speech, and discrimination, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) affirmed on Roma Genocide Remembrance Day.
“Honouring the victims and preserving their stories ensures their suffering is recognized and integrated into public memory,” said ODIHR Director Maria Telalian. “But remembrance alone is not enough—it must serve as a foundation for actively countering prejudice that persists to this day.”
An estimated 500,000 Roma and Sinti were murdered during the Holocaust. On 2 August 1944, Nazi forces began the liquidation of the Roma camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau, resulting in the massacre of over 4,000 men, women, and children in a single night. Today, ODIHR joins international organizations, Roma civil society representatives, and advocates at the Auschwitz-Birkenau site in Oswiecim, Poland to honour their legacy.
All OSCE participating States have committed to fostering education and remembrance of this atrocity. They have also acknowledged the unique challenges Roma and Sinti communities continue to face across the region and beyond.
ODIHR remains actively engaged in supporting governments, civil society, and Roma communities to combat discrimination and promote inclusive political and public participation. The office publishes a biennial report on Holocaust remembrance and educational efforts across the OSCE area. The next edition will be released in early 2026.
