Albania has reaffirmed its commitment to standing against anti-Semitism, as it marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.
At a memorial event titled “Building a Future of Tolerance”, Albanian Foreign Minister Igli Hasani declared that action is needed to uphold humanism, security, tolerance, and justice. “The Holocaust remains a powerful testament to hatred, discrimination, and the dehumanisation of mankind,” he said, highlighting that six million Jews were murdered simply because of their origins.
Albania is one of the few countries that sheltered Jewish refugees during World War II. Remarkably, by the end of the war, the number of Jews in Albania had increased—an almost unheard-of phenomenon in occupied Europe. Unlike many other nations, Albania refused to hand over Jewish names to the Nazis, with its leaders and citizens alike playing a role in their protection.
Professor Hamit Kaba, head of the Institute of History at Albania’s Academy of Sciences, described Albania’s wartime role as “extraordinary.” He credited ordinary Albanians for upholding the ancient code of besa—a traditional pledge of honour and protection. “Even the country’s wartime leadership refused to comply with Nazi demands,” he noted.
The event also served as a reminder of the worrying resurgence of anti-Semitism in various parts of the world. Minister Hasani stressed that remembering the Holocaust is not just about honouring the past but about ensuring such horrors never happen again. “This is not just a ceremonial act—it is a call to action,” he stated.
Just days before this commemoration, Albania hosted an international conference focused on combating hate and defending human dignity, reinforcing its stance as a nation that upholds tolerance and human rights.
