The Organization of American States (OAS) held a session on January 24, 2025, to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The event featured remarks from Thomas R. Hastings, Interim U.S. Permanent Representative to the OAS Permanent Council, who expressed gratitude towards co-sponsors and speakers for their contributions.
Hastings acknowledged the importance of recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day as part of the OAS's commitment to human rights and historical memory. He stated, "Today’s discussion is an important acknowledgement by this institution that commemorating the Holocaust is part of our joint commitment to upholding human rights."
He emphasized the significance of supporting accurate Holocaust education and countering denial and distortion, noting these issues have global implications for human rights. "Supporting accurate and factual commemoration and education about the Holocaust, and countering Holocaust denial and distortion... are issues with profound human rights consequences with global reach," he said.
The United States has long been an advocate for Holocaust education. Hastings highlighted its importance as both a study of an unprecedented genocide attempt against European Jews and a lesson in preventing future genocides. "Studying the Holocaust is also important because while it shows us the horrific ends to which antisemitism can lead, it also shows us that genocide is not inevitable," he remarked.
Hastings called attention to ongoing efforts to deny or distort facts about the Holocaust despite extensive documentation and survivor testimonies. He described such distortion as "a pernicious form of antisemitism."
He praised Argentina's upcoming presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in 2026, making it the first South American country to hold this position. The IHRA continues its work through initiatives like its Global Task Force on Holocaust Distortion.
Addressing rehabilitation attempts for individuals involved in Nazi collaboration was another point raised by Hastings. He noted some countries glorify collaborators as national heroes while ignoring their roles during World War II.
Hastings concluded his speech by honoring Judge Thomas Buergenthal, a Holocaust survivor dedicated to defending human rights within the Inter-American System: "Justice is the foundation of peace, and human rights are its cornerstone." He urged continued efforts toward combating antisemitism and intolerance worldwide.