A minute's silence was observed in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.
In her pre-agenda report, Speaker of the Parliament Anita Demetriou said that the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau hell camp by Soviet troops has been established by the UN General Assembly as the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust. In addition to the six million Jews, he said, they were the tragic victims of the systematic and methodical brutality of the Nazi regime, which in an organized manner turned racist hatred into a project of extermination of a people, which constitutes a crime against humanity.
"Seventy-seven years after the end of the Second World War, humanity is again experiencing in various parts of the world phenomena of racist violence and racial hatred. It is for this reason that all of us have a duty to become partakers of historical memory and knowledge, to turn away from all forms of extremism and violence, to fight hard and resist all forms of racism, intolerance and discrimination and to highlight mutual respect and consensus as the only option," he said.
"It is the duty of all of us to remain constantly vigilant to prevent the repetition of the atrocities of the past," he added.
The Speaker noted that the Cypriot and Jewish peoples through their encounter over the centuries have developed strong historical ties forged by faith in common principles and goals and laid the foundations of the common vision of the two countries, and other countries in the region that share the same values and principles for the prevalence of peace, stability and prosperity in the turbulent Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean region.
Cyprus and Israel, he added, established diplomatic relations at a very early stage as two democracies on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean with many common elements and interests, while in recent years, both at the bilateral level and within the framework of the Greece-Cyprus-Israel trilateral mechanism, they have developed close relations and cooperation in a wide range of areas. He particularly stressed the parliamentary dimension of the Greece-Cyprus-Israel trilateral cooperation, which, he said, "as soon as the epidemiological conditions allow, we will restart with a physical presence".
"This cooperation is of geostrategic importance and serves the common vision of peace, collective security, stability and prosperity and it is for this reason that we will continue to work for its further deepening and strengthening for the benefit of our peoples and the region at large," he said.
At the same time, he noted that on the occasion of today's anniversary, the House of Representatives is participating in the annual #WeRemember campaign of the World Jewish Congress and UNESCO with various activities, including lighting up the House building with the #WeRemember campaign logo, posting a message on the House website and posting on social media.
He called on those MPs who wish to participate in the campaign to make posts and/or social media mentions with the #WeRemember message.
Source: KYPE
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
