Statements & Speeches

IHRA Chair Ambassador Lazaris welcomes delegates to Athens Online Plenary

IHRA Chair Ambassador Chris Lazaris welcomes delegates to IHRA Athens Plenary 2021

“Excellencies, Heads of National Delegations, IHRA Colleagues, Dear Participants, Welcome to Athens! I do hope the video you have just viewed has enticed you to visit the “City crowned with Lillies” as the ancient tragedians called her, by yourselves and not just virtually. Incidentally, the name refers to Athens’ spectacular sunsets, that can best be …

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ greeting remarks in the webinar “Practical implementation of the three non-legally binding IHRA working definitions in multicultural societies” (19.5.2021)

“It is a pleasure and a privilege for me to address today this educational webinar. It focuses on the practical Implementation of the three legally non-binding IHRA working definitions in multicultural societies. I warmly salute my dear colleagues, Ministers Bujar Osmani of North Macedonia and Karoline Edstadler of Austria. I would also like to warmly …

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias’ greeting remarks in the webinar “Practical implementation of the three non-legally binding IHRA working definitions in multicultural societies” (19.5.2021) Read More »

IHRA Chair, Ambassador Chris Lazaris’ speech in the webinar “Practical implementation of the three non-legally binding IHRA working definitions in multicultural societies”

IHRA Chair, Ambassador Chris Lazaris’ speech in the webinar “Practical implementation of the three non-legally binding IHRA working definitions in multicultural societies” (19.05.2021)

“This webinar has a long and intricate title ‘Practical implementation of the three non-legally binding IHRA working definitions in multicultural societies’, but, for once, a long and intricate title does not do justice to the importance and depth of what we are about to undertake. Even more, the importance of our task works on two …

IHRA Chair, Ambassador Chris Lazaris’ speech in the webinar “Practical implementation of the three non-legally binding IHRA working definitions in multicultural societies” (19.05.2021) Read More »

logo greek presidency of IHRA 2021

IHRA Chair’s statement on recent escalation of Antisemitic violence and hate speech

“We strongly condemn the Αntisemitic violence and hate speech that has taken place in response to the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East. While freedoms of speech and protest are essential pillars of all democracies, nothing can justify hate speech. We must unequivocally oppose all attacks targeting Jewish places of worship as well as Αntisemitic rhetoric, including holding Jews collectively responsible for events now developing in the Middle East. In a world …

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WJC Web Talks: IHRA Chair, Ambassador Lazaris, presents Greek Presidency’s vision and priorities

On the 22nd of April, 2021, Ambassador Chris J. Lazaris, Chair of the Greek Presidency of the IHRA 2021 and Special Envoy of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Combating Antisemitism and Safeguarding the Memory of the Holocaust, joined Mr. Leon Saltiel, Representative at UN Geneva and UNESCO for the World Jewish Congress and …

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Chair of the IHRA opening message to the International Roma Conference 1971-2021

Ambassador Christodoulos J. Lazaris, Chair of the IHRA and Special Envoy of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Combating Antisemitism and Safeguarding the Memory of the Holocaust, addressed the following opening message to the International Roma Conference 1971–2021 which was organized by the Panhellenic Confederation of the Greek Roma, ELLAN PASSE, on April the …

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Kyriakos Mitsotakis' speech, IHRA Handover Ceremony from Germany to Greece 2021

Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ speech on the IHRA Handover ceremony

It is an honor and a privilege to welcome you all to the inauguration of the Greek Presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, the largest global organization uniting governments, academics and experts in the critical mission of promoting and furthering Holocaust education, remembrance and research. To remember is to be human. To educate on …

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Panagiotis Pikrammenos' speech, IHRA Handover Ceremony from Germany to Greece 2021

Deputy Prime Minister Pikrammenos’ speech on the IHRA Handover ceremony

I feel very honoured to salute the inauguration of the Greek Presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in 2021. The message that the Greek Government is sending today, in every direction, is that we have a duty to fight anti-Semitism and all forms of racism, social division and genocide; to keep the Holocaust alive …

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Niki Kerameus' speech, IHRA Handover Ceremony from Germany to Greece 2021

Minister Kerameus’ speech on the IHRA Handover ceremony

Combating racism, intolerance and anti-semitism is a matter of crucial importance for the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs. Raising awareness within the educational community, through seminars and actions for educators and students that shed light on the tragic moments of the Holocaust, is a vital strategy already implemented by the Ministry. One of the …

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