28th January 2008

Paul Clark MP showed his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day by signing a Book of Commitment to honour those killed in the Holocaust and individuals that risked their lives to help those being persecuted.  

The Book was placed in the House of Commons for Members of Parliament nationwide to sign and pledge their support for the annual day of remembrance on Sunday 27^th January.   

On and around  Holocaust Memorial Day, schools, local communities and faith groups from across the UK will join together to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Thousands of events are being held across the country to commemorate all those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis during the Holocaust and in more recent genocides. Ultimately the aim of the day is to motivate people – individually and collectively, to ensure that the horrendous crimes, racism and victimization committed during the Holocaust and subsequent genocides are neither forgotten nor repeated again.  Paul also joined the congregation at Rochester Cathedral last night (Sunday 27 January) to commemorate those who had perished in the Holocaust.  

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

Paul Clark 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. “I appreciate the steps taken by the Holocaust Educational Trust to make the Book of Commitment available at the House of Commons. I also appreciate the work they undertake with our schools and I was fortunate to join young people from Medway schools last year when we went to Auschwitz and saw for ourselves the site of such atrocities. “Interestingly, at the Cathedral last night there were a number of young people who had been on the same visit, who undertook readings of their recollections from that visit. It had a profound effect upon us all”, said Paul. 

Karen Pollock, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said: “We are delighted that Paul Clark is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day. At a time when antisemitism, Holocaust denial, racism, prejudice and sadly even genocide still continue to pollute our world today, Holocaust Memorial Day and Holocaust education is more important than ever. 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 ensuring the lessons of the past learnt, acted upon and disseminated.”