Auschwitz Concentration Camp Museum Introduces Technological Countermeasure Against Holocaust Denial Claims
In a bid to combat the rising tide of Holocaust denial, especially on social media, the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in southern Poland has launched an online tool called "Stop Denial". This initiative, unveiled in July 2025, provides users with a wealth of verified documents, photographs, eyewitness testimonies, and historical research that debunk common denialist claims about the Holocaust, particularly those surrounding Auschwitz-Birkenau [1][2].
The tool addresses typical denialist arguments such as "Official documentation lacks information about the extermination at Auschwitz" and "The International Red Cross raised no objections after visiting the camp" by providing direct evidence and explanations to refute them [1]. It also includes a manual instructing users on how to respond to denialist content by commenting on social media posts with links to the Stop Denial website, enabling individuals to actively counter misinformation and defend historical truth in online discussions [1][3].
The launch of the campaign follows a surge of denialist activity across social media and in public discourse. According to museum spokesman Bartosz Bartyzel, this tool is crucial in the face of growing denialist rhetoric [2]. Museum director Piotr Cywiński emphasises the importance of the tool, stating that while the number of living Holocaust survivors able to personally testify is dwindling, antisemitic and denialist voices are growing louder [2].
The "Stop Denial" tool is not just a repository of information but also a practical guide for users. It empowers individuals to take action against denialist content by reporting it as hate speech and sharing reliable materials to help protect the dignity of Holocaust victims and stand against the falsification of history [3].
The Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp, a symbol of Nazi Germany's genocide of six million European Jews, was built in the city of Oswiecim after Nazi Germany occupied Poland during World War II. More than one million Jews died at Auschwitz-Birkenau between 1940 and 1945, with over 100,000 non-Jews also losing their lives, including non-Jewish Poles, Roma, and Soviet soldiers [4].
Recently, MEP Grzegorz Braun, a candidate in the Polish presidential election, claimed that "Auschwitz with gas chambers is unfortunately fake" in a radio interview [5]. Bartyzel stated that the best solution for disinformation is information, and the launch of the Stop Denial campaign supports this assertion [5].
In conclusion, the "Stop Denial" tool equips users with authoritative resources and practical guidance to effectively respond to Holocaust denial narratives, thereby promoting historical accuracy and dignity for the victims of Auschwitz [1][2][3]. This initiative underscores the museum's commitment to preserving the truth about one of history's darkest chapters and combating the resurgence of denialist rhetoric.
References: [1] The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. (2025). Stop Denial. Retrieved from https://stopdenial.auschwitz.org/ [2] The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. (2025). Press Release: Stop Denial. Retrieved from https://auschwitz.org/en/news-and-events/news/press-releases/2025/07/01/press-release-stop-denial [3] The Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. (2025). How to Counter Holocaust Denial Online. Retrieved from https://auschwitz.org/en/news-and-events/news/how-to-counter-holocaust-denial-online [4] United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. (n.d.). Auschwitz-Birkenau. Retrieved from https://www.ushmm.org/learning/encyclopedia/articles/a/auschwitz-birkenau [5] Radio Poland. (2025). Polish Presidential Candidate Claims Auschwitz Gas Chambers Are a Myth. Retrieved from https://thenews.pl/1/163174/Polish-Presidential-Candidate-Claims-Auschwitz-Gas-Chambers-Are-a-Myth
Users can utilize the Stop Denial tool, launched by the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, to access reliable information about the Holocaust and counter misinformation on social media. This education-and-self-development resource equips individuals with a practical guide for responding to Holocaust denial narratives, integrating entertainment aspects such as eigen-media storytelling and engaging discussions to reinforce historical accuracy and uphold the dignity of Holocaust victims.
