A ceremony commemorating European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day was held on Sunday in front of the Unknown Soldier Monument in Sofia, bringing together public officials, civic organizations and diplomats to honor the victims of the Roma genocide during World War II.
The event was organized by the Roma for Democracy Foundation and included speeches highlighting the importance of preserving the memory of those who lost their lives and standing against discrimination and hatred.
We Continue the Change MP Marin Tihomirov told participants that the ceremony served as a reminder of the value of every human life. "We are here to remind ourselves that we are all human, that we are all equal, and that no one has the right to take another person's life, especially in such a brutal way," he said.
Miglena Mihaylova of the Roma for Democracy Foundation emphasized the significance of August 2 for Roma communities across Europe, recalling the mass killings at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. "Today, August 2, is an extremely significant day for the Roma community because in Birkenau, Auschwitz, Roma people were murdered simply because they were born Roma," she said.
She also warned of the consequences of intolerance and prejudice. "We must remember that hatred, inequality and discrimination can lead to the destruction and killing of human lives," Mihaylova said, adding that "our heritage gives us the responsibility to protect democracy, equality and human rights."
