Simon Hughes asks constituents to 'Stand up to Hatred' on Holocaust Memorial Day

12.00.00am GMT Tue 27th Jan 2009

Last week Simon Hughes showed his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day by signing a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons to honour those who perished in the Holocaust.

As in previous years, Holocaust Educational Trust placed the Book of Commitment in the House of Commons to give MPs the opportunity to pledge that they will uphold the memory of the Holocaust and oppose hatred today.

In doing so, he paid tribute to those individuals who had the courage to 'Stand up to Hatred' in many different ways; by joining resistance movements such as The White Rose at the University of Munich; by challenging the hatred that surrounded them; or by risking their own life to rescue others in danger.

Today marks the anniversary of the liberation in 1945 of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous concentration and extermination camp.

Schools, local communities and faith groups from across the UK will join together to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Thousands of events are being held across the country to commemorate all those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis during the Holocaust and in more recent genocides. Ultimately the aim of the day is to motivate people - individually and collectively, to ensure that the horrendous crimes, racism and victimization committed during the Holocaust and subsequent genocides are neither forgotten nor repeated.

This year is the ninth year that the anniversary of the liberation of the camp has been officially commemorated in the UK. In 2005, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the day by passing the Holocaust Memorial Day resolution.

Simon Hughes MP:

"Holocaust Memorial Day marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, it should serve as an opportunity to remember and reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust and other genocides. Racism and hate are still very much present in our society and together we have a duty to unite our communities and "Stand Up to Hatred". It is essential that we continue to educate youngsters about the Holocaust and encourage them to work together towards a better future".

Karen Pollock, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said:

"We are delighted that Simon Hughes is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day. Holocaust Memorial Day and Holocaust education is more important now than ever. This year's topic, "Stand Up to Hatred" highlights the importance of joining forces against hatred, prejudice and intolerance. Sadly antisemitism, Islamaphobia, Holocaust denial, racism, prejudice and even genocide still continue to pollute our world today.

At the Holocaust Educational Trust we endeavour to impart the history of the Holocaust to young people, across all communities so they can see where hate and racism can ultimately lead.

It is the participation of all communities and the support of schools, local groups and local government that give this day the impact it has around the country and we applaud their commitment to ensuring the lessons of the past are learnt, acted upon and disseminated."