WASHINGTON–The U.S. Helsinki Commission welcomed the Polish
Parliament’s adoption today (July 29) of a resolution
recognizing Romani victims of Nazi genocide and establishing
August 2 as a remembrance day in Poland. Polish President
Bronislaw Komorowski will participate in a remembrance event at
Auschwitz on the 2nd. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the
U.S. Helsinki Commission said, “The vicious racism that led to
the Nazi genocide against Roma seven decades ago continues to
foster hatred and hate crimes against Roma. Recognizing,
teaching, and remembering that painful history in a most
dignified, solemn way is a critical part of combating bigotry
against Roma today.” “Throughout the OSCE region, including the
United States, there is a crying need to better research,
document, and convey information about the genocide of Roma,"
added Senator Ben Cardin (MD), the Commission’s Co-Chairman.
“This month, I met with Father Patrick Desbois whose efforts
documenting 800 WWII-mass grave sites in Ukraine and oth