"The lessons of the Holocaust have not been learnt - and racism, extremism, and anti-Semitism still persist", according to a parliamentary motion which Labour MP Emily Thornberry has signed to mark this year's Holocaust Memorial Day.
As well as signing the motion, Ms Thornberry signed the Holocaust Educational Trust's ‘Book of Commitment' to recognise the anniversary on January 27th of the 1945 liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous concentration and extermination camp.
Emily said:
"The Memorial Day allows us not only to remember all the victims killed and persecuted by the Nazis but also to challenge all types of prejudice and discrimination which continue in our society today."
Karen Pollock, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said
"We are delighted that Emily Thornberry is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day. At a time when we still see groups and individuals questioning the validity of the Holocaust, Holocaust Memorial Day and Holocaust Education is more important than ever."
Editors Notes:
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2007 is the seventh year that the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz has been officially commemorated in the UK.
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The theme of this year's memorial is "The Dignity of Difference." It will provide a focus for learning about the different groups excluded by the Nazis including Jews, Gypsies (Roma and Sinti), disabled people, lesbian and gay people, and black people and other groups.
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The Holocaust Educational Trust was established in 1988. Their aim is to educate young people from every ethnic background about the Holocaust and the important lessons to be learned for today.
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The parliamentary motion is EDM 698. The full text is available here.
