Horrific experience of the Second World War and the Holocaust contributed to the idea of the European integration as a tool to overcome this unfortunate legacy of the past. Despite that we are observing with concern the increasing number of verbal and physical attacks against Jews in Europe. This trend, though still avoiding the Czech Republic, endangers the very foundations of the European Union.

That is why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic encouraged the European Commission to appoint the Coordinator for Antisemitism and on January 12, 2016 her first meeting with partners, stakeholders and experts took place in Prague. Also in 2016 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic will provide funding to the European Shoah Legacy Institute and actively participate on the work of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. The education about Holocaust and paying respects to its victims is one of the fundamental stones of combating Antisemitism and other forms of discrimination. Therefore the Czech Republic marks this day as the Holocaust Victims Remembrance Day and Prevention of Crimes against Humanity.