Local MP marks Holocaust Memorial Day
15th February 2008
Aberavon MP Dr Hywel Francis showed his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day recently by signing a Book of Commitment in Parliament to honour those killed in the Holocaust and individuals that risked their lives to help those being persecuted.
Dr Francis said,
"Holocaust Memorial Day provides a focus for each of us to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust. We must not only reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust and 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."
Holocaust Memorial Day marks the anniversary of the liberation in 1945 of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous concentration and extermination camp. It is the eighth year that the anniversary has been officially commemorated in the UK. In 2005, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the day passing the Holocaust Memorial Day resolution.
Dr Francis added,
'I am delighted to support Holocaust Memorial Day at a time when antisemitism, Holocaust denial, racism, prejudice and sadly even genocide still continue to pollute our world today. For this reason Holocaust Memorial Day and Holocaust education is more important than ever.'
'It is through the participation and support of schools, local groups and elected members that give this day the impact it has around the country and we applaud their commitment to ensuring the lessons of the past learnt, acted upon and disseminated.'
