John Leech MP marks Holocaust Memorial Day

5.45.15pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 1st Feb 2007

John Leech MP marks Holocaust Memorial Day

Manchester Withington MP John Leech has signed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, making a pledge to ensure that the victims of the Holocaust, and of all genocide, are never forgotten, and that the causes and consequences of the Holocaust are understood by future generations.

Saturday 27th saw Holocaust Memorial Day. Thousands of events were held across the country to commemorate all those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis during the Holocaust. Holocaust Memorial Day also provided the opportunity to reflect on more recent genocides such as Rwanda and Kosovo, and the lessons relating to prejudice which still need to be learnt today.

January 27th marks the anniversary of the liberation in 1945 of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous concentration and extermination camp. It is the seventh 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.

John Leech MP 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."

Karen Pollock, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said:

"We are delighted that John Leech is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day."

"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 fighting racism, antisemitism and all prejudice".

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

1. The theme for UK Holocaust Memorial Day 2007 is "The Dignity of Difference." It provides a focus for learning about the different groups excluded by the Nazis including Jews, Gypsies (Roma and Sinti), disabled people, lesbian and gay people, and black people and other groups. The theme will enable individuals to learn about the consequences of exclusion based on peoples' differences. It will also encourage communities to build and develop a society where differences are respected and admired rather than being divisive.

2. The Holocaust Educational Trust was established in 1988. Their aim is to educate young people from every ethnic background about the Holocaust and the important lessons to be learned for today. HET works in schools, universities and in the community to raise awareness and understanding of the Holocaust, providing teacher training, an outreach programme for schools, teaching aids and resource material. HET regard one of their earliest achievements as ensuring the Holocaust formed part of the National Curriculum for History. HET continues to play a leading role in training teachers on how best to teach the Holocaust.

3. In November 2005, the Treasury announced funding of £1.5 million for HET to support its Lessons from Auschwitz Course for teachers and sixth form students. The funding will enable HET to facilitate visits to Auschwitz for 2 students from every school in the UK, increasing the number of students participating in the scheme from 400 a year to over 6000 a year.

4. The purpose of Holocaust Memorial Day is to remember the horrors of the Holocaust and those who perished. The day aims to ensure that the horrendous crimes against humanity committed during the Holocaust are never forgotten, and its relevance for each new generation is understood.

5. Details of the national event in Newcastle on 27th January and associated events across the rest of the UK are available on the Holocaust Memorial Day website at www.hmd.org.uk

6. The Holocaust Educational Trust has been closely involved in the establishment and development of Holocaust Memorial Day since its inception in 2000. We are represented on all working groups dealing with education, local activities, the main event and at a strategic level.

7. Holocaust Memorial Day came about following an MP's visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau with the Holocaust Educational Trust. Moved by his visit, Andrew Dismore MP proposed a bill, "to introduce a day to learn and remember the Holocaust" June 30 1999.