MP for Epping Forest, Dr Neil Hudson has signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment, pledging his support and commitment to marking Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring both those were murdered during the Holocaust as well as paying tribute to the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people today.
Holocaust Memorial Day falls on 27th January and is a significant anniversary marking 80 years since the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps of Europe. With survivors becoming older and frailer, this is likely to be the last significant anniversary at which Holocaust survivors may be present, and able to share their eye-witness testimony. As the Holocaust moves from living memory to history, this Holocaust Memorial Day presents a key opportunity to bring the Holocaust to the fore of our national consciousness.
In the lead up to and on Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. The theme for this year’s commemorations is ‘For a Better Future’.
On Holocaust Memorial Day we also remember and pay tribute to all of those persecuted by the Nazis, including Roma and Sinti people, disabled people, gay men, political opponents to the Nazis and others. We also remember all of those affected by genocide since, in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
After signing the Book of Commitment, Dr Neil Hudson said:
“Holocaust Memorial Day this year marks 80 years since the liberation of the infamous former Nazi concentration and death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, in 1945.
“The day presents an important opportunity for people to reflect on the darkest times of European history and I pledge to remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who were tragically murdered in the Holocaust.
“I am extremely proud that Epping Forest is home to a diverse range of communities, including Jewish communities and I pledge to speak out against all forms of antisemitism, which in recent months has risen exponentially and needs to be tackled head on.”
Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said:
“This year, on Holocaust Memorial Day, we come together to mark 80 years since the liberation of the extermination and concentration camps of Europe. We remember the six million Jewish men, women, and children who were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators and we honour those who survived and rebuilt their lives after enduring unimaginable horrors.
“The images and accounts that emerged at liberation revealed the full scale of the Nazis' attempt to annihilate the Jewish people and this gave rise to the enduring call 'Never Again.' This phrase embodies the hope that the Holocaust would serve as a stark warning to future generations of the consequences of unchecked hatred and antisemitism.
“As we mark this significant anniversary, the lessons of the Holocaust remain as urgent as ever. With survivors becoming fewer and frailer, and with antisemitism continuing to surge across the world – we must all commit to remembering the six million Jewish victims and must take action to ensure anti-Jewish racism is never again allowed to thrive."
