The European Parliament (EP) adopted here Thursday a resolution with a vote of 617 for, none against and 10 abstentions to commemorate the liberation of the Auschwitz camp 60 years ago.

The resolution said the liberation of Nazi Germany's death camp at Auschwitz is not only a major occasion for European citizens to remember and condemn the enormous horror and tragedy of the holocaust, but also for addressing the disturbing rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Europe.

This is also an occasion for "learning anew the wider lessons about the dangers of victimizing people on the basis of race, ethnic origin, religion, political or sexual orientation, or social classification," said the resolution.

The European Union (EU) assembly proposed to declare Jan. 27 "European Holocaust Memorial Day" across the EU.

"Europe must not forget its own history: the concentration and extermination camps built by the Nazis are among the most shameful and painful pages of the history of our continent," said the resolution.

The resolution calls on the EU institutions and member states to coordinate better their efforts to combat anti-Semitism in Europe and attacks on minority groups.

The EU assembly also urged the EU Council to reach agreement on a Europe-wide ban on incitement to racial and religious hatred throughout the EU.

Prior to his trip to Auschwitz for commemoration, EP President Josep Borrell delivered a speech entitled "Auschwitz is engraved on the collective memory of humanity."

"Today we must continue the fight against those things which made it possible: anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia, interracial hatred and indifference in part of our society," said the assembly chief.

During the session, the EP members stood for a minute's silence in memory of all the victims in Auschwitz camp.

Source: Xinhua