Skokie, IL, April 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In response to the reports of mass graves and acts of brutality against Ukrainian citizens by Russian armed forces, 17 Holocaust Museums from 4 countries have raised their voices together to speak out. In a joint statement, the organizations condemn these acts as war crimes and support the International Criminal Court as it investigates charges of genocide by the Russian military against the Ukrainian people. This statement represents a global network of institutions which educate visitors about previous atrocities in Europe and beyond to work toward a future where “never again” is a reality for everyone.
The statement reads:
Museums are bearers of history. By housing the artifacts and documents of the past, we ensure that the truth, both noble and horrific, of what humanity has done remains shared and accessible.
We at Holocaust museums around the world have a particular mission. The stories we tell are ones of destruction and pain, and of the nobility of upstanders who risked their lives to do what was right and help others. We not only aim to educate, to honor our Survivors’ wishes that their stories are not forgotten, but to make a better future where the stories we tell are no longer repeated.
So it is with sorrow that we see yet another atrocity in Ukraine, 80 years after the ‘Holocaust by Bullets’ in which Jewish men, women, and children were shot and buried in shallow graves. We are angered by today’s stories of children with their hands zip tied and buried in shallow graves. We are angered by the horrific reports of rape and wanton destruction of lives by the Russian army. These are war crimes, and if we, as the bearers of history, do not speak out, then we have failed in our mission.
We call upon our governments around the world to do more to stop these atrocities and assist those who have been brutalized. We support the International Criminal Court’s investigation of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
Signatories to the statement:
Susan Abrams • Illinois Holocaust Museum
Daniel Amar • Montreal Holocaust Museum
Erin Blankenship • The Florida Holocaust Museum
Marc Cave • The National Holocaust Centre and Museum, UK
Troy Fears • CANDLES Holocaust Museum
Mary Pat Higgins • Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
Beth Kean • Holocaust Museum LA
Jack Kliger • Museum of Jewish Heritage
Mary Kluk • Durban Holocaust & Genocide Centre
Nina Krieger • Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre
Eli Mayerfeld • The Zekelman Holocaust Center
Tali Nates • Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre
Dee Simon • Holocaust Center for Humanity
James Smith • Aegis Trust
Helen Turner • St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum
Sarah L. Weiss • Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center
Kelly Zúñiga • Holocaust Museum Houston
The statement was shared as a full-page ad in The New York Times on Sunday, April 10.
About Illinois Holocaust Museum
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center honors the Survivors and victims of the Holocaust and transforms history into current, relevant, and universal lessons in humanity. Through world-class exhibitions and programs, the Museum inspires individuals and organizations and provides a universal wake-up call to action: Take history to heart. Take a stand for humanity. The Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM through 5:00 PM with last entrance at 4:00. For more information, visit www.ilholocaustmuseum.org or call 847-967-4800.
