Press Release

The ICHRRF remembers those who lost their lives during World War II this 8-9 May. The United Nations emerged from the aftermath of World War II putatively as an international peacekeeping organization and a forum for resolving conflicts between nations and preventing future wars on October 24, 1945, after months of meetings and planning between global leaders. As such, paying tribute to the millions of lives lost in WWII by creating space for a time of remembrance and reconciliation is fitting. On 2 March 2010, by resolution 64/257, the General Assembly invited all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations and individuals to observe 8-9 May in an appropriate manner to pay tribute to all victims of the Second World War. It is important to recapitulate the World War II involved not only the warring nations but also the subjects of the colonized countries that were imperial possessions of the European colonizers. Thousands of soldiers were conscripted from these colonized countries without a true informed consent and used as cannon fodder by the Colonizing countries.

It is important to reflect, understand and remember these horrific events so we know how not to repeat them and prevent future suffering of our global society. It is also important to create spaces for suffering persons to speak their truths safely, be validated and acknowledged, and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. While globally we have evolved to understand these concepts, there is more work to be done as there are still political conflicts to this day. ICHRRF hopes that saner voices of reason will prevail and the current tribal European conflict will not metamorphose into a global conflict.

The ICHRRF urges all the governments to remember the loss, unspeakable sadness, and consider the social, economic, spiritual, and emotional impact of intergenerational trauma on individuals, families and communities from World War II in efforts to peacefully resolve current military conflicts in Europe.