UN Secretary-General Calls On All to Stand Up for Human Rights, Speak Up Against Hate

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres has called on all citizens of the world to speak-up against hate and stand-up for human rights.

Guterres in his speech to commemorate this year’s International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, said this year marks the eightieth anniversary of the Holocaust’s end.

He said: “We mourn the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators, as they sought to destroy an entire people.

“We grieve the Roma and Sinti, the people with disabilities, and all others enslaved, persecuted, tortured, and killed.

“We stand alongside victims, survivors and their families.

“And we renew our resolve never to forget.

“To allow the Holocaust to fade from memory would dishonour the past and betray the future.

“Remembrance is a moral act. And a call to action.

“To know the history of the Holocaust is to know the depths to which humanity can sink…

“To understand how the Nazis were able to commit their heinous crimes, with the complicity of others…

“And to comprehend that each of us has a solemn duty – to speak-up against hate, and to stand-up for the human rights of all.

He added that: “Following the hell of the Holocaust, countries came together. And they enshrined the dignity of every person in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In dark times, that document remains a shining light.

“Eighty years since the Holocaust’s end, antisemitism is still with us – fuelled by the same lies and loathing that made the Nazi genocide possible.

“And it is rising. Discrimination is rife… Hate is being whipped-up the world over…
Indisputable historical facts are being distorted, diminished, and denied… And efforts are being made to recast and rehabilitate Nazis and their collaborators.
We must stand up to these outrages.

“In these days of division – and more than a year since the appalling 7th October terror attacks by Hamas – we must hold fast to our common humanity. We must condemn antisemitism – just as we must condemn all forms of racism, prejudice and religious bigotry. And we must renew our resolve to defend the dignity and human rights of all.

“Those causes go to the very core of the United Nations. We will never forget – and we will never waver in that fight.”

Speaking at the commemoration of the day at the United Nations House in Abuja, the Israeli Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Inbar Lipman Garden said: “On this solemn day, we remember the six million Jewish men, women, and children who were murdered in the Holocaust- alongside millions of others who suffered under the Nazi regime. We honour their memory not only to mourn their loss but to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that such atrocities never happen again. The Holocaust is not just a chapter of Jewish history; it is a universal reminder of the devastating consequences of hatred, discrimination, and indifference. It compels us to reflect on our shared responsibility to fight antisemitism, racism, and all forms of intolerance wherever they may arise.

“Today, we must acknowledge the troubling rise of antisemitism around the world, including in Europe, Australia, Canada, the US and elsewhere. Jewish communities face increasing hostility and violence.

“Synagogues have been firebombed, schools have been shot at. Jewish community centers have been vandalized – images that remind us of the dark days of the past. And today, just 80 years after the liberation of Auschwitz there are those who deny that the Holocaust happened. Dangerous narratives of Holocaust denial propagated by regimes and groups such as lran, Hizballah, and Hamas. These entities not only distort history but also openly call for the annihilation of the Jewish state and Jews entirely.”

On his part, the Officer in Charge of UNESCO Abuja Office, Albert Mendy said: “This commemoration serves as a solemn reminder of the devastating consequences of hatred, discrimination, and intolerance, and reinforces our collective responsibility to foster a culture of peace, mutual respect, and human dignity.”

Mendy, who was represented by the Organisation’s Education Programme Officer, Anthony Ogunniyi said: “UNESCO, as the lead agency for education within the United Nations system, believes that education is the most powerful tool for building a just and peaceful world.

“Education for peace is not just about imparting knowledge; it is about shaping attitudes, values, and behaviors that promote dialogue, understanding, and cooperation among individuals and societies.”

He added that: “The Holocaust serves as a powerful reminder that hatred, even within your classrooms, no matter how small it may seem at first, can grow into unimaginable consequences if left unchecked. It often starts with seemingly minor acts of intolerance—hurtful words, exclusion, and discrimination—but can quickly escalate into widespread harm and devastation. What you do about it matters.

“Choosing to remain silent in the face of injustice—whether it is bullying, discrimination, or any form of intolerance—allows such negative behaviors to persist and grow. This is why tolerance, respect, and empathy are not just ideals but essential values that must guide our daily interactions. Let us learn from history and understand that taking a stand against hatred in all its forms is the first step toward preventing future atrocities and building a world where dignity and human rights are upheld for all.”

UN Secretary-General Calls On All to Stand Up for Human Rights, Speak Up Against Hate