In the footsteps of Anne Frank: NO to xenophobia, racism and hate

On this annual day of the Holocaust victims’ commemoration, we publish the letter authored by Ambassador of Israel to Kazakhstan Liat Vekselman, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Kazakhstan André Carstens, and UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan Arthur van Diesen. 

#AnneFrank social media challenge has been launched last week to pay tribute to the memory of victims. Aruzhan Sain and Dinara Saduakassova have joined the challenge.

The 27th of January is designated by the United Nations as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This is the day of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and death camp.

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On this day, the International Community commemorates and honors the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. We commemorate the horrors and injustice of the Holocaust also to show younger generations that such tragedies should never again occur. It is upon us to raise a generation of men and women who embrace tolerance and value diversity. A generation that will speak out and combat racism, anti-Semitism and any form of hatred and discrimination.

This year, we draw special attention to Anne Frank, one of the most well-known Jewish victims of the Holocaust. While in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in World War II, she wrote her Diary of a Young Girl.  It is one of the world's most powerful testimonies of a young Holocaust victim.   In sincere and touching words, Anne describes her dreams, hopes and worries while in hiding with her family. And what is striking is that her dreams, hopes and worries are so relatable, even today. The diary remains as relevant as when it was first written. Every teenager can recognize herself or himself in sections of the diary.

In 1999, Time magazine named Anne Frank among the heroes and icons of the 20th century on their list ‘The Most Important People of the Century’.

The Diary of Anne Frank was already translated from its original Dutch version into over 70 languages and recently into Kazakh as well.

We read Anne’s diary in our childhood and were deeply touched by it. Through her diary, Anne continues to inspire millions around the world. The book reminds us of the undefeatable power of a young spirit, striving for liberty. As Anne wrote: "Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!". Anne dreamt of a better world and strongly believed that we all need to play our role in building a better future. She wrote: “How wonderful it is that nobody needs wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

When we see racism, hate speech, any kind of intolerance, we must act and speak up and make our voice heard. Young people matter in this! As Anne Frank wisely wrote "Even if people are still very young, they shouldn't be prevented from saying what they think".

As we remember the Holocaust this year, let us be inspired by Anne Frank’s words: "What is done cannot be undone, but one can prevent it happening again"

We invite you all to share quotes from Anne’s diary that have inspired you on your social media channels, using the hashtag #AnneFrank.