Holocaust
Memorial Day (HMD) is commemorated each year on 27 January – the anniversary of
the liberation of the Auschwitz death and concentration camp. HMD provides an
opportunity for everyone to learn lessons from the Holocaust, Nazi persecution
and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. HMD asks
people to apply these lessons to the present day to create a safer, better
future.
Otto
spoke about his experience of being forced to leave his native Austria at the
age of ten, travelling to Great Britain as part of the Kindertransport
programme. He would never again see his sister or parents who were left behind.
Otto highlighted the difficulty of moving to a distant land where he didn’t speak
the language but used the kindness of those who looked after him to encourage
the gathered MPs and invited guests to mark the theme of HMD 2016: Don’t
stand by.
Phil
said:
“Otto’s story is a reminder of the
importance of marking Holocaust Memorial Day – a day where we remember the
millions who were affected by the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. I want to
encourage people in Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill to mark HMD on 27
January 2016.”
Olivia
Marks-Woldman, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, said:
“We were delighted that Phil showed his
support for Holocaust Memorial Day. We hope that many more people in
Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill will use the free resources available
through our website to organise activities for next year’s HMD – adding to the
record 3,600 activities which took place for HMD 2015.”
