Local MP marks Holocaust Memorial Day

28 January 2008

Gordon Banks MP showed his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day by signing a Book of Commitment to honour those killed in the Holocaust and individuals that risked their lives to help those being persecuted.

The Book has been placed in the House of Commons for Members of Parliament nationwide to sign and pledge their support for the annual day of remembrance on Sunday 27th January.

On and around Holocaust Memorial Day, 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 again.  

January 27th 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.

Mr Banks 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. In November 2005, the Government announced funding of £1.5 million for HET to support its Lessons from Auschwitz Project for teachers and sixth form students. I was able to accompany staff and pupils from Crieff High School and Lornshill Academy in my constituency to Auschwitz Birkenau in 2006 to see first hand what went on at this terrible camp. It was a real eye opener for me and indeed for the staff and pupils and I hope that these young people and the many others from all over the UK will never forget the terrible events of the Holocaust and act to ensure they can never be repeated.” ”

Karen Pollock, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said:
“We are delighted that Gordon Banks is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day. At a time when antisemitism, Holocaust denial, racism, prejudice and sadly even genocide still continue to pollute our world today, 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.”