The East Belfast MP was speaking after she signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment at the House of Commons, publicly committing to both remembering the Holocaust and also working towards a future free from prejudice.
Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on January 27, the date the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated by Allied forces during the Second World War. This year marks the 69th anniversary of the Soviet Army reaching the largest mass murder site in history.
The theme of 2014’s event is journeys, which is designed to encourage people to learn how journeys themselves become part of genocide, as well as the life stories of journeys that brought survivors to the UK.
Mrs Long said that while the world was still rife with the conditions that led to the Holocaust, remembering it was the best way to help prevent a repeat occurring.
“Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity to commemorate the victims and survivors of the Nazi persecution across Europe last century. But it is also a vital way to acknowledge that anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry still exist, and they need challenged.
“Although the events of the Holocaust may seem long ago, intolerance needs to be challenged in order to ensure similar actions do not happen again. I would encourage everyone to mark the day and join the fight against prejudice.”
ENDS