Marian Turski: I feel duty-bound to reiterate this call - people, do not be indifferent to evil

The main part of the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was held at noon in front of the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes in Warsaw. The ceremony was commenced with the sound of sirens blaring across the city of Warsaw, followed shortly by the national anthem of Poland.

Leaders and ordinary citizens marked the heroism of those who took part in the largest Jewish uprising against Nazi Germany during World War II.

Auschwitz survivor and historian Marian Turski was among the speakers during the ceremony. He reminded that he had been liberated from the death camp by the Soviet Army consisting mainly of Russian soldiers. "My gratitude to them, to those who liberated me from German camps, will stay we with me until the very last day of my life," he said.

"But should I be indifferent, should I be silent when today Russian forces attack a neighbouring country and take over its lands? Should I be silent when Russian missiles destroy Ukrainian infrastructure, homes, hospitals, cultural heritage, and cause a rapid increase in death rate and lower life expectancy of hundreds of thousands of civilians? Should I be silent when I see the fate of Bucha, knowing how the Germans had annihilated Polish Michniów, Belarusian Khatyn?," Turski asked rhetorically.

He also quoted words of Marek Edelman, one of the leaders of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising: "The most important thing is life, and when there is life, the most important thing is freedom. And then we give our lives for freedom, and one doesn’t know anymore what is most important".

"125 years ago, in response to the anti-Semitic Dreyfus affair, Emil Zola cried out 'J'accuse', I accuse you," Marian Turski said. "This cry by Emil Zola shook France and, to some extent, Europe. I am deeply convinced that today, here in Warsaw, we should repeat this call 'J'accuse'. We must stand against anti-Semitism, human rights violations, attacks on neighboring countries, falsification of history, and lack of respect for the interest and will of minorities," he underscored.

"I feel duty-bound to reiterate this call: People, do not be indifferent to evil. People, stay alert. It is very easy to gain followers with hate. But will it not bring about downfall to me, you, them, our children and grandchildren? That is why I say to those who spread hate, 'J'accuse', I accusue you," the former Auschwitz prisoner stressed.