To mark upcoming Holocaust Memorial Day, Greg Hands has signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, honouring those who died during the Holocaust, as well as honouring the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people about what they endured.
Monday 27th January will mark the 69th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration and death camp, the site of the largest mass murder in history.
In the weeks leading up to and after Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events are being arranged by schools, religious groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.
The theme for the UK Holocaust Memorial Day 2014 is ‘Journeys’, encouraging us to learn how journeys themselves became part of genocide and also about the life stories of journeys that brought survivors to the UK. By raising awareness and understanding in schools and amongst the wider public of the Holocaust and its relevance today it is hoped that Holocaust Memorial Day will help people ‘take a step’ towards combatting prejudice.
Greg Hands said: “Holocaust Memorial Day marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi German concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. I have visited the camp twice, in 1991 and 2008, and have seen for myself the evidence of the death and destruction caused. This day is an important opportunity to remember the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. I encourage all my constituents to remember the day.”
Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “We are proud that Greg is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day. It is vitally important that we both continue to remember and learn from the appalling events of the Holocaust – as well as ensuring that we continue to challenge antisemitism and all forms of bigotry.”