Holocaust Memorial Day takes place today, Friday 27th January, which marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

This year’s theme is ‘Ordinary People’, which discusses the part ordinary people played during the Holocaust and later genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. It encourages people to consider how they can play a part in challenging prejudice and hate today in their own lives and communities.

Ahead of the day, Martin Whitfield MSP joined parliamentary colleagues in signing the Book of Commitment, pledging to remember the events of the Holocaust and the millions who were murdered by the Nazis, as well as those who have been killed in subsequent genocides.

Martin Whitfield MSP said: 

“On Holocaust Memorial Day, we remember the 6 million Jewish people and millions of others who were systematically murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust and all victims of genocide around the world.
“By signing the Book of Commitment I am pledging my support for marking Holocaust Memorial Day and preserving the memory of those who were murdered in the Holocaust. United together, we must stand up against prejudice, bigotry, discrimination, antisemitism, hatred and racism.”

Find more information on Holocaust Memorial Day and how to get involved here.