UNRC Remarks on President Manuel L. Quezon's Leadership and the Courage to Act during the Holocaust

Distinguished guests, colleagues, and friends, a good day to all. 

We gather today in solemn remembrance of the Holocaust which falls annually on the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp.  

It is a tragedy that claimed countless lives and more than eight decades later, the echoes of this atrocity continue to resonate, reminding us of the devastating consequences of unchecked hatred, antisemitism, and indifference. 

This year’s theme, “Holocaust Remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights,” calls on us not only to honor the victims and survivors, but to reaffirm our shared responsibility to uphold human dignity and defend the rights of all people.  
 
Remembrance is not passive. It is an active commitment to truth, justice, and humanity. 

Here in the Philippines, remembrance carries a profound meaning. Our nation holds a unique place in Holocaust history which reflects the very values that we commemorate today. Between 1937 and 1941, then President Manuel L. Quezon opened the doors of the Philippine Commonwealth to approximately 1,200–1,300 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany.  
 
President Quezon offered lands for resettlement, supported the creation of a Jewish refugee community in Manila, and personally ensured that these families could rebuild their lives in safety. 

At a time when many countries closed their borders, the Philippines was a nation of welcome. 

We will get a deeper glimpse about this extraordinary act of humanity in the film Quezon’s Game which will be screened today. The film reminds us that dignity must prevail over indifference, and humanity must triumph over hatred.  

Quezon’s legacy speaks directly to our theme. It calls us to defend human rights wherever they are threatened, to confront all forms of hatred, and to ensure that the tragedies of the past are never repeated. 

As Filipinos, we know the value of solidarity and resilience. Our history is marked by struggles for freedom, dignity, and justice. In remembering the Holocaust, we stand with survivors, with the Jewish community, and with all those who continue to face discrimination and violence. We affirm that defending universal rights is essential for sustainable peace, and that this commitment lies at the very heart of the United Nations. 

Today, as we honor the victims of the Holocaust, let us also honor the courage of those who resisted, the compassion of those who sheltered the persecuted, and the resilience of those who rebuilt their lives. Let us carry forward their memory as a living call to action. 

I hope today’s commemoration inspires us to continue building a society rooted in dignity, compassion, and respect for human rights. At the global level, may this strengthen our resolve to confront hatred, protect the vulnerable, and uphold the humanity of every person. 

Remembering allows us to resist denial, confront hatred, and affirm dignity. And remembering, we pledge together in defending human rights where no one is left behind. 

Thank you and a good day to all.