On January 17th Canadians will mark Raoul Wallenberg Commemorative Day, on the 77th anniversary of the disappearance of Raoul Wallenberg, Canada’s first Honourary Citizen, whom the United Nations characterized as “the greatest humanitarian of the twentieth century.”
Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat, was a beacon of light during the darkest days of the Holocaust, and his heroism warrants remembrance and reminder today. From mid-May to the beginning of July 1944, some 440,000 Hungarian Jews were deported to the death camp Auschwitz – the fastest, cruelest and most efficient killing field in the Holocaust. Wallenberg arrived as a member of the Swedish Legation in Budapest, Hungary in July 1944. In a remarkable demonstration of courage and commitment, Wallenberg mobilised the diplomatic community and others to rescue some 100,000 Jews – more than any single government or organization – let alone the international bystander community.
While Wallenberg saved so many, he was not saved by so many who could. Rather than greet him as the liberator he was, the Soviets, who entered Hungary as liberators themselves, arrested him, rendering him a political prisoner. He disappeared into the Gulag, and his family — along with the tens of thousands whose lives he saved — still do not know what happened to him, continuing to search for answers to this day.
Accordingly, as per Canada’s “Country Pledges” announced by Prime Minister Trudeau at the recent Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism in Sweden – to teach about the life and legacy of Raoul Wallenberg on Raoul Wallenberg Day – I am inviting you to mark this day with the educators, young people, and leaders in your community. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread, paralled by an increase in hate and discrimination, both on and offline, it is more important than ever that role models like Wallenberg be held up as a beacon of hope, justice, inspiration, and action.
While Wallenberg’s fate remains unknown, we must ensure that the vision and values which he embodied do not. May Wallenberg’s actions inspire our efforts to combat racism, discrimination, and all forms of hate. Wallenberg’s life and legacy remind us that one person with the courage to care, and the commitment to act, can confront evil, prevail, and transform history. May Raoul Wallenberg Day be not only an act of remembrance, but a remembrance to act.
We look forward to hearing how you and your community chose to honour Canada’s inaugural
Honourary Citizen and Hero of Humanity.
Sincerely,
Irwin Cotler,
Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism
Justice, justice, shall you pursue. C’est la justice, la justice, que tu poursuivras.
205 – 4770 avenue Kent, Montréal (Québec) Canada H3W 1H2 | 514-735-8778 | irwincotler@rwchr.or
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