Holocaust Memorial Commemorations

Why is Holocaust Memorial Day relevant to me?

The Holocaust was a defining event of the 20th century and is part of the UK’s history. Although mainland Britain and Northern Ireland were not occupied during World War II, the impact on Britons was significant and wideranging:

refugees fled here from Nazi persecution
Britain was engaged in a war to defeat the attempt of the Nazis to occupy and oppress the European continent with its supremacist ideology
UK soldiers liberated Bergen-Belsen concentration camp
survivors and refugees who rebuilt their lives here are part of our heritage
Britain played a lead role in developing the international conventions protecting universal human rights as, after World War II, the world came to terms with the impact of Nazi policies.

Nazi ideology was founded on racism, anti-Semitism and discrimination, creating a fascist state that rejected human and civil rights. The evils of prejudice, discrimination and intolerance continue to exist in Britain. We have lessons to apply today, as individuals, communities and institutions within our society. Progress has been made, which we need to protect.

The terrorist bombing of London in July 2005 united Londoners in the face of adversity. Another less positive consequence was an increase in hate crime across the UK against people who were, or appeared to be, Muslim. This reveals the fragility of relationships and the need, therefore, to strengthen understanding and respect across ethnic, cultural and faith boundaries.

Hate crimes and attacks against people because of their race or ethnicity, because of their sexuality, because they are disabled or because of their faith continue to take place.

Too many people regard these incidents as part of their day-to-day lives and a part of being different. Holocaust Memorial Day highlights why such perceptions are dangerous and need to be understood and changed.

At the same time, hate ideology is growing and convincing increasing numbers of young people that adherence to extremist ideologies is acceptable – even desirable. Holocaust Memorial Day highlights that populist movements which discriminate or promote exclusionary ideologies are dangerous and need to be countered.

From time to time incidents draw attention to the need for vigilance. In the 1990s the murder of Stephen Lawrence and the nail bombings, which targeted the Black, Asian and gay, lesbian and bisexual communities in London, also drew attention to these issues.

All these matters reinforce the importance of the Holocaust as a reminder of where such prejudices can lead. Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity to build more unified communities today. By supporting Holocaust Memorial Day, we show a continuing commitment to oppose racism, anti-Semitism, islamophobia, homophobia and discrimination on the grounds of disability, religion or gender.

The Day acts as a reminder to all of us of our responsibility to protect the civil and human rights of all people in our society and as part of the international community.

Events since the Holocaust – such as the genocides committed in Rwanda and Bosnia – show that we still have much to learn.

Through these goals, Holocaust Memorial Day encompasses the need to:

take responsibility for our own actions;
stand up to injustice;
learn and educate each other about different communities, cultures, religions and sexualities;
accept and embrace diversity;
avoid scapegoating communities for the actions of a few;
combat extremism and highlight its dangers for our society.

These principles are at the cornerstone of our democracy, which needs to value equal rights and responsibilities for all its citizens.

Holocaust Memorial Day is an effective way of promoting that message so that the suffering of victims during the Holocaust – and those since – will not have been entirely in vain.

Holocaust Memorial Day

Why is Holocaust Memorial Day relevant to me?

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