The Croatian government this year again joins in the commemoration of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and the horrific genocide in which millions of people were killed is a reminder of the biggest evil that happened in the history of mankind, the Croatian government said in a statement on Wednesday.

The liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration camp marked the end of the darkest period in the European and world history, the government’s press office says in the statement.

“The unimaginable suffering experienced by the Jewish people is a warning to us all, not only in Croatia but in Europe as well, to strengthen on a daily basis societies that strongly oppose any form of discrimination, exclusiveness and intolerance. Education of our youth must have a key role in that because only the knowledge and awareness of historical horrors, notably the Holocaust, teaches future generations about mutual understanding and respect for diversity, for others and those who are different,” Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said.

“On this day, we also member with pride courageous individuals, like 120 Croatian Righteous Among the Nations, who, risking their own life, stood up against injustice and evil to save their fellow men. Those are bright and brave examples from which we must learn in order to prevent extremism and intolerance from prevailing again,” the statement said.

“Croatia, as a country that cherishes universal and European values, has been doing its best to preserve the memory of innocent victims and the tragedy of the Jewish people, constantly promoting the freedom and equality of all, human dignity and ethnic equality, which are inviolable civilisational values every modern democratic society is based on.”

“On the International Holocaust Remembrance Day we also remember the infamous Ustasha concentration camp of Jasenovac, where thousands of members of the Jewish and other peoples as well as Croatian antifascists and democrats were killed. By cherishing the culture of remembrance and lasting respect that we owe to the victims, the Croatian government is clear about its unambiguous condemnation of the crimes and works with commitment on promoting tolerance in society and mutual respect,” reads the government statement.