State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Ingrid Brocková, participated in the commemorative event dedicated to the Roma Holocaust Memorial Day in Banská Bystrica on 2 August 2023.
The State Secretary laid a wreath at the memorial to the victims of the Roma Holocaust on the grounds of the Museum of the Slovak National Uprising.
“Discrimination, persecution and the murdering of the Roma also occurred on the territory of present-day Slovakia during the Second World War. Our duty is to commemorate events that constitute part of our history. Moreover, and even today, members of Roma communities are subjected to marginalisation or segregation and have to overcome multiple disadvantages. Stereotypes and prejudices against the Roma are not part of a democratic society. Therefore, our policies are set to integrate them in all areas of life,” said the State Secretary. She also recalled that Roma were actively involved in combat operations during the Second World War, including the Slovak National Uprising.
Brocková stated that Slovakia is a long-standing and active member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) which has also worded a non-legally binding working definition of anti-Roma racism. This definition can be used in public policy and decision-making processes to eliminate prejudice and discrimination. The IHRA’s definition of anti-Roma racism was endorsed by the Slovak National Council in September 2022.
