Holocaust Memorial Day 2026: UK statement to the OSCE

The UK told the OSCE that Holocaust Memorial Day honours victims, including six million Jewish lives and other persecuted groups, and warned of rising antisemitism while reaffirming support for IHRA tools and global guidelines.

The United Kingdom delivered a statement to the OSCE on Holocaust Memorial Day 2026. It said the day honours the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and other persecuted groups. The statement warned of a resurgence of antisemitism across the OSCE region and noted incidents that have raised security concerns for Jewish communities. It reaffirmed the UK's support for IHRA definitions and international guidelines to counter antisemitism and address new digital challenges. Key points: - Holocaust Memorial Day commemorates victims, including six million Jewish lives and other persecuted groups. - The statement said the Holocaust began with words that normalised prejudice and eroded rights, which can lead to persecution. - Officials reported a rise in antisemitism in the OSCE region and cited violent incidents that have raised safety concerns for Jewish communities. - The UK reaffirmed support for the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism, and work during its IHRA Presidency on education and digital issues. Summary: The statement links remembrance to safeguarding against antisemitism and the distortion of history. It sets out ongoing UK efforts to protect the historical record and to strengthen education and responses to digital threats. Undetermined at this time.