Yesterday was Holocaust Memorial Day. This is marked annually on the 27th January, the anniversary of the liberation of the former Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.
In the lead up to and on Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events were arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country. These events give us an opportunity to remember all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.
Last week I signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment. In so doing, I pledged my commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who were murdered during the Holocaust, as well as paying tribute to the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people today.
I would also like to commend the work of the Holocaust Educational Trust, who’s mission is to educate young people from every background about the Holocaust, and the relevance it still has to us today.
The Holocaust showed humanity at its worst. It is right that we reflect on the tragic events and commit ourselves to ensuring that they are never repeated.