On this day, Sunday 9 November, 2025, we gather to remember Kristallnacht, also known as the Night of Broken Glass, a tragic event that occurred on 9-10 November 1938 in Germany and Austria. The streets were filled with the sound of shattering glass as synagogues were set on fire, Jewish homes and businesses were destroyed, and thousands of Jewish men were arrested and imprisoned.
Kristallnacht marked a turning point in history, as it was the moment when hatred and prejudice turned into open violence, sanctioned by the state. This year’s commemoration holds a special significance as we also mark the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), a legal framework that was born directly from the horrors of Kristallnacht. The ECHR was crafted with the leadership of British and Jewish lawyers and it enshrined the principle that everyone’s rights and freedoms must be secured without discrimination on any grounds.
In a time where division, scapegoating, and hate speech are once again on the rise, Article 14 of the Convention serves as a reminder that the law can be both a shield and a bridge, protecting the vulnerable and connecting us across our differences.
Kristallnacht is not just a story of destruction, it is also a story of resilience. It reminds us of those who rebuilt, who sheltered the persecuted, and who spoke out when silence was safer. As we reflect on this day, René Cassin reaffirms its commitment to this legacy – to stand alongside others, to defend human dignity, and to work towards a society where equality is not just an aspiration, but a lived reality.
