What went on in the Auschwitz concentration camp over seventy years ago is something that military personnel of the Soviet Union stumbling upon the camp could scarcely believe. Atrocities so terrible, that words cannot suffice to accurately describe the intense feeling of horror and disgust. The 70th anniversary of the camp's liberation took place on January 27, 2015, an event that over 300 survivors and numerous world leaders came to observe. The leaders themselves came from well over fifty different countries. Although Russia was a major force behind the liberation, President Putin was not attendance of the ceremony, amid high tensions between Russia and Western Europe. In particular, the Ukraine situation has caused divides among world leaders. However, these concerns were quickly put aside so that attendees could focus their attention onto the anniversary itself. To truly understand the statistics and figures behind the camp, it is important to first know its history and impact.
Auschwitz first opened in 1940, with the most infamous section, Auschwitz-II Birkenau being built in 1941. Auschwitz was built in newly occupied Poland, near the city of Krakow. In all, it is estimated that one million people were killed in Auschwitz in a systemic effort to annihilate the Jewish population of Europe and all others whom the Nazi party deemed inferior. Many of those who arrived were executed immediately while those who were deemed strong enough to work were instead sent to nearby factories to produce materials for the German war effort as slaves. The few who were not subjected to the gas chambers were left to undergo Nazi medical experiments or starvation. It wasn’t until the winter of 1944-1945 with the Red Army progressing through the Eastern Front that Auschwitz began to shut down. Records were destroyed, buildings demolished, and evidence removed in an attempt to remove any trace of the activities that had taken place. In January 1945, as many as 60,000 prisoners were forced to take part in a death march away from the camp. The remaining prisoners would be found by elements of the Red Army.
What can be learned from such events of the past that can only be described as diabolic? For one, people must be aware of events happening all around the world and be able to understand the importance of protecting basic human rights. There is not a single situation in which a person’s human rights can be removed or forgotten. It is our responsibility, as citizens of the world to protect those rights. Even the simple act of letting others know about human rights violations taking place around the world can at least open the door to fixing some of the issues present. For example, the dawn of social media being accessible to almost everyone has allowed people to do make-shift reporting in places such as Egypt, Syria, and Mali. Whole governments have been toppled by peaceful protest and international support in response to situations like these.
Auschwitz first opened in 1940, with the most infamous section, Auschwitz-II Birkenau being built in 1941. Auschwitz was built in newly occupied Poland, near the city of Krakow. In all, it is estimated that one million people were killed in Auschwitz in a systemic effort to annihilate the Jewish population of Europe and all others whom the Nazi party deemed inferior. Many of those who arrived were executed immediately while those who were deemed strong enough to work were instead sent to nearby factories to produce materials for the German war effort as slaves. The few who were not subjected to the gas chambers were left to undergo Nazi medical experiments or starvation. It wasn’t until the winter of 1944-1945 with the Red Army progressing through the Eastern Front that Auschwitz began to shut down. Records were destroyed, buildings demolished, and evidence removed in an attempt to remove any trace of the activities that had taken place. In January 1945, as many as 60,000 prisoners were forced to take part in a death march away from the camp. The remaining prisoners would be found by elements of the Red Army.
What can be learned from such events of the past that can only be described as diabolic? For one, people must be aware of events happening all around the world and be able to understand the importance of protecting basic human rights. There is not a single situation in which a person’s human rights can be removed or forgotten. It is our responsibility, as citizens of the world to protect those rights. Even the simple act of letting others know about human rights violations taking place around the world can at least open the door to fixing some of the issues present. For example, the dawn of social media being accessible to almost everyone has allowed people to do make-shift reporting in places such as Egypt, Syria, and Mali. Whole governments have been toppled by peaceful protest and international support in response to situations like these.