LOCAL MP REMEMBERS THE HOLOCAUST 60 YEARS ON

10.00.00am GMT Fri 28th Jan 2005

On January 27th schools, universities and local communities throughout the country marked Britain's fifth Holocaust Memorial Day. Hundreds of events were held across Britain to commemorate all those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis in the Holocaust.

This year provided us with a unique opportunity for remembrance as it is the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the day will mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the former Nazi extermination camp

This year's theme was 'Survivors, Liberation and Rebuilding lives'. This enabled us to hear first hand from people who suffered during the Holocaust. There is nothing more moving than listening to their testimony. In addition, to hear from those soldiers who could not have imagined being faced with such horror - the liberators - is a testament to those that perished. These soldiers experienced the aftermath of the Holocaust and cannot forget what they saw. Testimony from Survivors and Liberators help us understand the aftermath of genocide and the best and the worst of human behaviour.

Hereford's MP, Paul Keetch said, "Holocaust Memorial Day is vitally important, not just so we remember those who were persecuted and murdered by the Nazis, but to encourage us to take a decisive look at the world today, and challenge racism and intolerance head on.

"I was privileged to see a classroom workshop at Haywood High School in action dealing with the Holocaust and its mark on the world both then and now. It was interesting to see how young people perceive this and try to put it into perspective. There was also a display at the school that I saw whilst I visited and I understand that a school assembly to mark Holocaust Memorial Day had also taken place.

"I was also able to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Exhibition being held in All Saints Church, Hereford, which was extremely poignant and perhaps quite harrowing for some - but the message is clear, we never want to see this situation reoccur and we must not allow it to happen."

Karen Pollock, Chief Executive, Holocaust Educational Trust said, "To see schools, local communities, and youth groups across the UK mark the day in so many inspiring ways. It reminds us as individuals and as communities of our responsibility to unite in combating prejudice"