PM Bolojan: Commemorating the Iasi Pogrom - an essential part of our democratic maturity

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Saturday, in the context of commemorating 84 years since the Iasi Pogrom, that Romania has taken significant steps in acknowledging its past, instituting legal mechanisms to combat hate speech, Holocaust denial and distortion.

According to a government press release, the Iasi Pogrom "was an act of systematic violence, carried out with the support of state structures, which tore apart not only a community but the very moral fabric of the state, leaving deep scars in the conscience of the Romanian nation."

"These days we mark 84 years since one of the most painful acts of violence in our country's modern history - the Iasi Pogrom, which resulted in over 13,000 victims. During those tragic days in June 1941, Romanian Jews were murdered with unimaginable cruelty, under the authority of a regime that blatantly violated every principle of humanity. (...) This tragic event does not belong only to the past, it stands as a warning about the dangers of hatred, intolerance, and extremist ideologies, and as a painful lesson about what can happen when the state becomes a tool of hatred and the citizen is deprived of legal protection," said Ilie Bolojan.

In his message, Bolojan also said that the proper implementation of the National Strategy for Preventing and Combating Antisemitism, Xenophobia, Radicalisation and Hate Speech for the period 2024-2027 will contribute to Romania's continued and genuine commitment to this cause.

"Commemorating the Iasi Pogrom is also an essential part of our democratic maturity and a commitment to guaranteeing, respecting, protecting and promoting fundamental human rights and freedoms. Romania has taken important steps in assuming its past. Legislative mechanisms have been instituted to combat hate speech, Holocaust denial and distortion, as well as antisemitic manifestations, and Holocaust education has been strengthened - most recently through the introduction of the subject ‘History of the Jews. The Holocaust' as a mandatory subject," the Prime Minister added.

He reiterated, on behalf of the Romanian Government, a strong commitment to continuing efforts to combat antisemitism, xenophobia, radicalisation, and hate speech, to preserve the memory of the past, to condemn Holocaust denial and distortion, and to protect survivors.