She was speaking after signing 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 is the 70th anniversary of the site being reached by Russian troops and it also marks the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia.
This year’s theme is ‘keep the memory alive’ and is designed to help encourage people to consider how far we have come by commemorating the past.
Naomi 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, as well as subsequent genocides.
“It is also a vital way to acknowledge that many forms of bigotry still exist and that they need challenged.
“Although the events of the Holocaust may seem long ago, intolerance needs to be tackled 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