SHONA HAS SIGNED the Holocaust Memorial Day Book of Commitment to remind all of her constituents that 27 January is Holocaust Memorial Day, the 65^th anniversary of the liberation of Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.

The theme of this year's day is 'Legacy of Hope' and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is challenging everyone across the UK to become a part of a legacy of hope. This is an opportunity to listen to voices from the Holocaust and Nazi persecution and use these lessons to make a safe, inclusive society for all where the differences between us are respected.

Shona has also put her name to a motion in Parliament officially recognising Holocaust Memorial Day. This motion salutes the bravery and determination of survivors who speak every year to thousands of young people about their persecution and their hope for a future where intolerance is challenged.

The motion also commends the Holocaust Educational Trust which arranges trips for post-16 year-old students to visit the concentration camps in Germany and see the sites of the biggest mass-murder in history.

The day itself is a good time to:

• Remember the victims and survivors of the Holocaust as well as those affected in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and the ongoing atrocities in Darfur;
• Ensure that the historical events we remember continue to be of importance in today's society;
• Raise awareness and understanding of the events whilst at the same time recognising that it could happen again anywhere at any time unless we oppose it;
• Celebrate the values in our society that respect the differences between individuals and communities.

Of the day, Shona said:

"Now, more than ever, we need to remember the atrocities of the Holocaust and use the lessons learned there to prevent similar events from ever happening again. In hard times it is easy to look for the differences between us and other communities when really we should be celebrating our differences. This is why Holocaust Memorial Day is a good time to simply stop and reflect."

More information on Holocaust Memorial Day can be found at:

http://www.hmd.org.uk/

26 January 2010