German Church and Political Leaders Call for Vigilance Against Antisemitism on Holocaust Remembrance Day

On January 27, 2026, Germany observed the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of National Socialism, marking the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. Representatives from the German church and political spheres issued calls for humanity and vigilance against antisemitism. Bishop Georg Bätzing, chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, stressed that Holocaust remembrance is not only a lasting obligation for Germans but also a central Christian belief. Kirsten Fehrs, chair of the Evangelical Church in Germany, emphasized the continuing commitment among Christians to the principle of 'Never Again'. Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, cautioned about the risks of a "substantive hollowing out" of the culture of remembrance, underlining the need to actively preserve this legacy. Since 1996, Germany has formally commemorated January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day, and it has been recognized internationally since 2005. The day honors the memory of Jews, Sinti and Roma, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, disabled individuals, and political opponents who were murdered under Nazi rule. The unified message from church and political leaders underscored the importance of keeping memory alive to foster humanity and prevent the resurgence of hatred and antisemitism in contemporary society.