75 years on from the Nazi defeat, many still suffer impact of conflict: Guterres
Moscow, USSR. May 9, 1945. Fireworks on Red Square in honour of the end of WW2
8 May 2020
On
8 and 9 May, the UN commemorates the millions who lost their lives
during the Second World War, the tragic conflict that led to the birth
of the United Nations. In a video message released late on Friday, UN
chief António Guterres warned that divisions still exist, and called for
a world based on peace and unity.
In
his message, Mr. Guterres paid tribute to those who paid the ultimate
sacrifice during the War. The victory over fascism and tyranny in May
1945, he said, marked the beginning of a new era, but “we must never
forget the Holocaust and the other grave and horrendous crimes committed
by the Nazis”.
The United Nations was created, that same year, out of a collective will to save succeeding generations from the horrors of war, with the devastation of the years between 1939 and 1945, bringing about an appreciation for the importance of international cooperation.
75 years on, the UN chief noted that even during the COVID-19
pandemic, a worldwide health crisis that can only be defeated by an
international community that is working closely together, there are
those who are sowing division and spreading hatred.
On Friday, Mr. Guterres made a global appeal to address and counter what he called the “tsumani of hate and xenophobia” that has risen alongside the global tally of COVID-19 cases.
The UN chief referred to examples of hate speech that have surfaced during the crisis, ranging from anti-foreigner sentiment, to antisemitic conspiracy theories and attacks against Muslims, and called on civil society to strengthen outreach to vulnerable people, and religious actors to serve as models of mutual respect.
With this year marking the a milestone anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and the birth of the United Nations, Mr. Guterres urged the world to “remember the lessons of 1945 and work together to end the pandemic and build a future of peace, safety and dignity for all”.
“The voices of populism, authoritarianism, nationalism, and xenophobia are making themselves heard ever more loudly. We must confront those who would drag the world back to a violent and shameful past”, she said.
Recalling that, with international help, Europe was able to build a more prosperous and peaceful society after the war, Ms. Di Carlo declared that the current pandemic presents an opportunity for the international community to first “overcome the crisis and then create a more equitable and peaceful world”.
The United Nations was created, that same year, out of a collective will to save succeeding generations from the horrors of war, with the devastation of the years between 1939 and 1945, bringing about an appreciation for the importance of international cooperation.
Division and hatred, as coronavirus spreads
On Friday, Mr. Guterres made a global appeal to address and counter what he called the “tsumani of hate and xenophobia” that has risen alongside the global tally of COVID-19 cases.
The UN chief referred to examples of hate speech that have surfaced during the crisis, ranging from anti-foreigner sentiment, to antisemitic conspiracy theories and attacks against Muslims, and called on civil society to strengthen outreach to vulnerable people, and religious actors to serve as models of mutual respect.
With this year marking the a milestone anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and the birth of the United Nations, Mr. Guterres urged the world to “remember the lessons of 1945 and work together to end the pandemic and build a future of peace, safety and dignity for all”.
‘Disturbing echoes of the past’
Speaking on Friday at an “Arria Formula” meeting of the Security Council (meetings at which non-governmental organizations have the opportunity to address the 15-member body outside the official Council meetings), Rosemary di Carlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, warned that, today, we are seeing “disturbing echoes of the past”.“The voices of populism, authoritarianism, nationalism, and xenophobia are making themselves heard ever more loudly. We must confront those who would drag the world back to a violent and shameful past”, she said.
Recalling that, with international help, Europe was able to build a more prosperous and peaceful society after the war, Ms. Di Carlo declared that the current pandemic presents an opportunity for the international community to first “overcome the crisis and then create a more equitable and peaceful world”.
Sacrificed on the ‘altar of victory’
Dmitry
Polyanskiy, Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the United
Nations, told UN News that, for those who live in the countries of the
former Soviet Union, 9 May is a day to pay tribute to “our loved ones,
and our compatriots who sacrificed their lives on the altar of victory.
Thanks to them we are living in peace”.
This year, said Mr. Polyanskiy, UN Missions of the countries formerly part of the Soviet Union, have been searching for material about compatriots who fought, performed acts of valour, or lived on the Home Front during the War, and publishing the stories on Twitter or Facebook, with the hashtag #Victory75.
“All of them were fighting in one army, for one and the same country, and all of them deserve to be remembered”, he said.
This year, said Mr. Polyanskiy, UN Missions of the countries formerly part of the Soviet Union, have been searching for material about compatriots who fought, performed acts of valour, or lived on the Home Front during the War, and publishing the stories on Twitter or Facebook, with the hashtag #Victory75.
“All of them were fighting in one army, for one and the same country, and all of them deserve to be remembered”, he said.
Time of remembrance and reconciliation
The commemoration on 8-9 May is officially called the “Time of
Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the
Second World War”, and was created by a General Assembly resolution in
2004.
The resolution called for Member States, organizations of the United
Nations system, non-governmental organizations, and individuals to
observe 8-9 May in an appropriate manner, to pay tribute to all victims
of the Second World War.
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