Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies remembered the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi Persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur, at events in London this week and last to Mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2020 (January 27th).
This afternoon, James attended the UK Commemorative Ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day 2020, in Central Hall Westminster, while last week he joined survivors of the Holocaust and more recent genocides, at a reception in Parliament to mark the launch of a new digital campaign urging people to ‘Stand Together’ and commemorate the lives of individuals murdered by the Nazis.
He has also signed a Book of Commitment to pledge to never forget the atrocities that took place in the Nazi death camps, to honour the victims and survivors, and to do more to tackle anti-Semitism and hatred in our society.
He said:
“Holocaust Memorial Day 2020 marks the 75thanniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. 2020 will also mark the 25thanniversary of the Genocide in Bosnia.
“This year’s theme ‘Stand Together’ explores how genocidal regimes throughout history have deliberately fractured societies by marginalising certain groups, and how these tactics can be challenged by individuals standing together with their neighbours, and speaking out against oppression.
“The Holocaust was a terrible and defining episode of the twentieth century, which undoubtedly changed the course of history. We must all seek to learn from the devastating events of the Holocaust more and take action to create a safer future”.
Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Olivia Marks-Woldman, said: “With increasing division in communities across the world and here in the UK, now more than ever we need to stand together with others in our communities to challenge the spread of identity-based hostility. Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity for us all to learn from genocide, for a better future, and I’d urge everyone to get involved in activities for Holocaust Memorial Day 2020 by visiting hmd.org.uk.”