WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Harriett Baldwin has again signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, in Westminster.
In signing the book it reaffirms her pledge to mark Holocaust Memorial Day (January 27) and to stand firmly against hatred, prejudice and antisemitism.
The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945 – the largest of the Nazi death camps – and commemorates the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered in the Holocaust.
“Each year, I join my colleagues signing the Book of Commitment at the Houses of Parliament to show that we will continue to remember the six million victims who died in the camps in the Second World War and our commitment to stand up to genocide across the world.
“I’ve taken part in a trip to see the camps first-hand with local sixth-formers and the Holocaust Educational Trust carries out an important role helping children understand the horrific events of more than seven decades ago so that we can preserve this piece of history.
“I would like to take this opportunity to encourage local schools to get in touch with the Trust and take advantage of this very moving learning experience,” she said.
Thousands of events up and down the country will be held to mark the anniversary to remember all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.
It is also a time to remember and pay tribute to all those persecuted and murdered by the Nazi regime, including Roma and Sinti people, disabled people, gay men, political opponents, and others targeted simply for who they were or what they believed.
The theme for this year’s commemorations is ‘Bridging Generations’.
Holocaust Educational Trust works to mark the genocide by arranging trips for school children to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp to learn about the events first-hand.
Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, added: “On Holocaust Memorial Day we remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators and we honour the survivors who rebuilt their lives while coming to terms with unimaginable loss.
“As the voices of survivors sadly fade, the responsibility to continue their legacy passes firmly on to the next generation. The loss of eyewitnesses and the urgency to protect their stories for the next generation is crucial.”
