Commemorating the Sinti and Roma Holocaust Victims at Sachsenhausen Memorial
Eighty-one years since the "Auschwitz Decree," the Sinti and Roma Holocaust victims were honorably remembered at the Sachsenhausen Memorial. Romani Rosa, the Chairman of the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma, voiced concerns about the rise in antisemitism and antiziganism in Germany during a memorial service. He urged society to take a stand against this hatred, emphasizing the importance of upholding basic democratic rights for all people.
German Sinto Christian Pfeil, a survivor of the genocide in the Lublin ghetto, also participated in the commemoration. He warned about misusing freedom of expression to spread hate speech and emphasized the need to counterfalse narratives that deny historical facts with justice and the rule of law.
Tobias Dünow, State Secretary for Culture, acknowledged the neglect and denial of the Sinti and Roma genocide, calling it an outrage in terms of remembrance politics. The German government is responsible for acknowledging the Nazi crimes against Sinti and Roma, their centuries-long marginalization, persecution, and atrocities.
On December 16, 1942, SS Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler signed the infamous "Auschwitz Decree," ordering the deportation of all Sinti and Roma living in the German Reich. More than 10,000 German Sinti and Roma were affected, with over 1000 imprisoned in Sachsenhausen concentration camp between 1936 and 1945.
The Significance of Remembering
The Holocaust was not only a tragedy for the six million Jewish victims but also affected 500,000 Sinti and Roma. Memorials serve as a constant reminder of Germany's past and its responsibility to uphold the rights of all minorities. These events are crucial for acknowledging historical facts often overlooked or denied.
The Sinti and Roma genocide highlights the importance of promoting an inclusive and tolerant society, where hatred and discrimination have no place. In addition, educational initiatives, research projects, and cultural and artistic initiatives work to ensure that the experiences and sacrifices of Sinti and Roma during the Holocaust are not forgotten and integrated into broader historical narratives and educational programs.[^1]
[^1]: Enrichment Data: Efforts and initiatives to commemorate and raise awareness about the Nazi genocide of the Sinti and Roma include educational initiatives, memorial sites and commemorations, research projects, Holocaust remembrance day events, cultural and artistic initiatives, and genocide awareness and education. These initiatives aim to ensure that the experiences and sacrifices of Sinti and Roma during the Holocaust are not forgotten.
