For the first time in Argentine history one of its provinces has devoted a day to the memory of Raoul Wallenberg, Swedish diplomat savior of tens of thousands of people persecuted during the Holocaust.

The decree Nº2242, bearing the signature of Horacio Ricardo Colombí, Governor of the Province of Corrientes, establishes, amongst other concepts, that the 5th. of October of each year will be dedicated to Raoul Wallenberg’s memory, thanks to the proposal made by the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation.

Amongst the reasons that establish this decree, the resolution underlines that ”`probably Wallenberg can be considered as one of the greatest saviours of human lives in history” and that ” the values that inspired Wallenberg are universal pillars that bear up open, free and democratic societies.” The decree also emphasizes that, solidarity and civic courage know no physical or temporary boundaries.

Translation: María Pensavalle

The Ministry of Education of the Argentine province of Cordoba has decided to include the August 4th in the School Yearbook, to commemorate Raoul Wallenberg’s birth, as a respectful tribute for the humanitarian mission of the missing Swedish diplomat.

Through the resolution Nº 805/05, and as an initiative of the International Foundation Raoul Wallenberg, the Minister of Education, Dr Amelia de los Milagros López signed the above mentioned resolution, expressing the following concepts, among others:

”(Wallenberg) is the modern paradigm of the (missing) ”desaparecido” figure, widely notorious in our country”. ”The values that inspired his incomparable mission, are the universal mainstays supporting open-minded, free and democratic societies. Said values are ethical pillars that know no time or geographical bounds”. ”This Ministry should be involved with this request, that is why it is considered advisable to include the August 4th as a commemoration of the birth of Raoul Wallenberg as a respectful tribute for his humanitarian and heroic deed”

Translation: Graciela Forman

On September 14, 2006, the Buenos Aires City Congress passed a law proclaiming August 4th as ”Raoul Wallenberg Day”. For the first time in South America, a capital city dedicates one of the calendar days to remember the deeds of the diplomat that saved tens of thousands of lives during the Holocaust.

The project was fostered by Buenos Aires’ Mayor, Jorge Telerman, following an idea of the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, and was approved by the Culture and Human Rights Commissions of the City House of Representatives.

Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA), only Holocaust survivor ever to serve in the US Congress, sent a letter of endorsement to Buenos Aires’ Mayory Jorge Telerman.

• Raoul Wallenberg Day In The Educational Agenda Of The City Of Buenos Aires
• Other countries that dedicated one day to remember Raoul Wallenberg

Throughout Canada, in each and every year, the 17th day of January shall be known under the name of ”Raoul Wallenberg Day”.

2nd Session, 36th Parliament,
48-49 Elizabeth II, 1999-2000

The House of Commons of Canada

BILL C-432

An Act respecting Raoul Wallenberg Day

Preamble

Whereas Raoul Wallenberg was made an honorary citizen of Canada in 1985;

Whereas Raoul Wallenberg, at great personal risk, saved the lives of about one hundred thousand Hungarian Jews from the Holocaust;

And Whereas the people of Canada wish to further honour the memory of Raoul Wallenberg and ensure that his example of personal courage, heroism, compassion and decency is not forgotten;

Now, Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Raoul Wallenberg Day Act.

Raoul Wallenberg Day

2. Throughout Canada, in each and every year, the 17th day of January shall be known under the name of ”Raoul Wallenberg Day”.

See the proclamation

The city of Vancouver proclaimed on January 26th 2006 the Raoul Wallenberg Day.

Signed by: Samuel C. Sullivan, Mayor

Ottawa, January 16, 2010 — The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, issued the following statement commemorating Raoul Wallenberg Day on January 17:

”Raoul Wallenberg Day is an opportunity to remember the Holocaust and to pay tribute, not only to its victims, but also to its heroes. By doing so, we renew our commitment to fight against the evils of racism, discrimination, and anti-Semitism.

”The extermination of millions of Jewish people and others during World War II was a crime against all of humanity. Thousands, however, were saved by the efforts of courageous individuals such as Raoul Wallenberg.

”Raoul Wallenberg was a Swedish diplomat and humanitarian who worked in Budapest, Hungary, during World War II and rescued Jews from the Holocaust. He is credited with saving the lives of more than 100,000 Hungarian Jews at the risk of his own life.

”On January 17, 1945, Raoul Wallenberg was captured by Soviet forces as the Soviet Union pushed the Nazis out of Hungary. He was not seen again.

”As we celebrate his legacy, we are compelled to remember the achievements of this great and courageous man – Canada’s first honourary citizen – as well as the lessons we can all draw from his example.

”His legacy – to act to combat hate and prejudice – is being continued by the Government of Canada through our full membership in the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research (ITF).

”Canada is committed to supporting the ITF’s efforts to further develop knowledge of the Holocaust, and to ensure that future generations understand both the Holocaust and the roots of anti-Semitism and racism.

”In addition, Canada takes a zero tolerance approach to anti-Semitism. Canada is not content to be an observer on the world stage. Rather, Canada is playing a leadership role in combating the new anti-Semitism.

”That is why our Government refused to participate in the Durban II conference, led the world in walking out on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad when he addressed the United Nations in September of 2009, and why the Prime Minister was selected to receive the Simon Wiesenthal International Leadership Award.

”I was deeply saddened and appalled when I learned last June about the shooting provoked by anti-Semitism at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. It was shocking to think that a memorial to the victims of the Holocaust could be the site of such a despicable act.

”That incident was an unwelcome reminder that the evils of anti-Semitism continue to exist in the world. It was also a tragic reminder of the crucial importance of combating the scourge of anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial.

”As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, I call on all Canadians to reject anti-Semitism, learn more about the legacy of Raoul Wallenberg, and be inspired by his heroism and selfless spirit.”

Wallenberg led a mission in 1944 to rescue 100,000 Jews after the Nazi invasion of Hungary, by issuing false passports and establishing ”safe houses” under the protection of his country’s neutral flag. The post-war Swedish government was seriously questioned for its responsibility in Wallenberg’s disappearance at the hands of Soviet troops in 1945, and for not strongly demanding his actual appearance of the Soviets.

The commemorative day would offer a way for people to respect, learn from, and emulate the moral values, including solidarity and civic courage, embodied by Wallenberg and nurtured by his Swedish heritage. The initiative follows a suggestion by the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, which campaigns for commemorative days in order to promote peace among nations and to honor those who were heroes of the Holocaust.

Raoul Wallenberg Day is commemorated every year around the world, from Canada to Argentina to the State of New York. It was observed in the States of Nevada, Nebraska, Maryland and Connecticut in 2005. West Virginia, New Jersey, Michigan, Maine and Illinois joined in the 2006 commemorations.

The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, with the aim of rendering homage to, promoting the message of, and remembering the actions of all those Heroes of the Holocaust who, like Raoul Wallenberg, risked their lives to save persecuted people.

Motion to the Swedish Parliament

2006/07:K249

by Mikael Oscarsson (Christian Democrats)

Raoul Wallenbergs Day

Proposition for Parliamentary Decision

Justification

Raoul Wallenberg was born on August 4th 1912 in Stockholm. For future generations he will be remembered as the man who saved tens of thousands of Jews from dying in German Nazi concentration camps, while risking his own life. His actions ended when he was kidnapped in Hungary and taken to a prison in the Soviet Union, where he was probably tortured and maybe finally executed.

Because of his efforts, Raoul Wallenberg is a great hero abroad, especially in the United States where he was the second foreign person, after Winston Churchill, to become an honorary citizen. He is also an honorary citizen in Israel and Canada and there are monuments in his honor in New York, London and Stockholm.

It has to be pointed out though that the attention surrounding Raoul Wallenberg has been brief/scanty in Sweden. It is as if they are still ashamed of the inability to take action which in the years after his disappearance distinguished the Swedish Governments handling of the case. A resolute intervention would most likely have saved his life.

Today there are many ways – and many reasons – for the Swedish people to give notice to one of the most heroic citizens of our time. In Sweden we appoint certain days to give attention to children, women, family, the environment, the United Nations etc. This is good. Therefore the correct thing to do would be to appoint one day to honor Raoul Wallenberg. It could be a day when we bring to the forefront the fight against totalitarian ideologies that systematically violate human dignity – such as national socialism, anti Semitism and racism-, but also the fight for peace and human inviolable values. It would be a innative way to show late appreciation for one of the greatest Swedish heroes of the 20th century. Such a day could be an important meeting place for the democratic forces that protect the principle of human beings equally worth against the ideological forces that question this principle and now once again seem to be advancing in this country.
Stockholm, October 27, 2006

Mikael Oscarsson (Christian Democrats)

Translated from Swedish by Elin Borg, IRWF volunteer.