, Liberal Democrat MP for
Bath, commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day today (27th January) by
signing the Holocaust Educational Trust's Book of Commitment.
Holocaust Memorial Day this year marks 80 years since the
liberation of the infamous former Nazi concentration and death
camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945. Mrs Hobhouse signed the Book of
Commitment to honour those who were persecuted and who perished
during the Holocaust, as well as paying tribute to the
extraordinary survivors who work tirelessly to educate young
people today.
The Bath MP, who was born in Hanover, Germany, says the occasion
is particularly close to her heart. She has spoken openly about
her mother's family being victims of persecution by the Nazi
regime. has since been a staunch
activist for tolerance and compassion, working to combat division
and ensure such atrocities never happen again. This mirrors the
theme for Holocaust Memorial Day this year, which is ‘For a
Better Future'.
In addition to commemorating the six million Jews murdered during
the Holocaust, Holocaust Memorial Day also pays tribute to all
people persecuted by the Nazis, including Roma and Sinti people,
disabled people, gay men, political opponents to the Nazis and
others. The day also remembers all of those affected by genocide
since, in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
, Liberal Democrat MP for
Bath, said:
“Today marks Holocaust Memorial Day – an occasion that is
particularly close to my heart as my mother's family were victims
of persecution by the Nazi regime. I always held with me a sense
of shame and horror growing up, and I owe it to the millions of
Jews who perished at the hands of the country I was born in to
convert this shame into political activism.
“Today presents an important opportunity for us all to reflect on
the darkest times of European history. Every year, I sign the
Book of Commitment to pledge never to forget the millions of
victims of the Nazi regime.
“We must continue fighting to make sure that such barbarity does
not happen again. It's important we remember that the injustices
of the Holocaust first began by creating communities of division
and hatred, and work to prevent the same prejudice returning
today.”
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."
