, Speaker
of the House of Commons, urged people to ‘learn the lessons of
the past’ as he hosted a special commemoration for Holocaust
Memorial Day.
The international date remembers the six million Jews murdered
under Nazi persecution, and the victims of subsequent
genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
‘One Day’ is the theme chosen by the Holocaust Memorial
Trust - which focuses on a moment in time that changed
forever the lives of those affected by genocide.
,
who was joined by faith
leaders, MPs and the parliamentary community to
light candles and read personal accounts from victims
of past atrocities, urged colleagues ‘to
remember, to learn and to hope there may be One Day in
the future with no genocide.’
‘Holocaust Memorial Day prompts us to learn the lessons of the
past and recognise that genocide does not just take place on its
own – it's a steady process which can begin if discrimination,
racism and hatred are not checked and prevented,’ he said.
‘As we have heard, so much can happen in one day. Lives can be
changed; they can be ended, but they must never be
forgotten.’
Commons Leader ,
former minister , Rabbi
Debbie Young-Somers and Laura Marks, chair of the Holocaust
Memorial Day Trust, were among those taking part in the
ceremony in Portcullis House led by Speaker’s Chaplain
Revd Tricia Hillas.
The House of Commons will be among iconic buildings and landmarks
across the country to be lit up in purple tonight, to commemorate
Holocaust Memorial Day.
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- This is the second time Holocaust Memorial Day has been
marked in this way in the House of Commons - a commemoration
initiated by Mr Speaker
- The ceremony took place on 27 January
2022 in Portcullis House with a welcome from Sir
Lindsay
- The three Deputy Speakers, MPs and members of
the parliamentary community were also in attendance
- Candles will remain lit until 1800
- The Palace of Westminster will be
illuminated purple to mark Holocaust Memorial
Day from dusk on the 27th.
