The holocaust, a tragic chapter in the European history during World War II, marked the genocide of six million European Jews. Between 1941 and 1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically executed approximately two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population across German-occupied territories.
Recently, Virendra Sharma demonstrated his unwavering commitment by signing the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of the House of Commons. In doing so, he pledged allegiance to Holocaust Memorial Day, expressing respect for those who perished during the Holocaust and honouring survivors striving to educate youth about the atrocities inflicted upon the Jewish community.
Holocaust Memorial Day to be observed on January 27, aligns with the liberation anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the notorious Nazi concentration and death camp where over 1.1 million lives were lost in 1945. Across the UK and worldwide, individuals of prominence and ordinary citizens alike pay tribute to Holocaust victims, commemorating their memory.
Leading up to Holocaust Memorial Day, numerous events, organized by schools, faith groups, and community organisations, unfold across the United Kingdom, offering remembrance for Holocaust and genocide victims. The theme for this year’s commemorations is ‘Fragility of Freedom’.
On Holocaust Memorial Day, tributes extend to the Roma and Sinti people persecuted by the Nazis, encompassing disabled individuals and political opponents. Simultaneously, victims of genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur will be remembered.
Reflecting on the significance of Holocaust Memorial Day, Virendra Sharma MP remarked, “Holocaust Memorial Day is an essential opportunity for the people of Ealing Southall to recollect and reflect on the darkest times in European history. Today, I pledge to remember the six million Jewish men, women, and children murdered in the Holocaust and speak out against the rising tide of antisemitism, a challenge that needs to be confronted head-on.”
Karen Pollock CBE, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, emphasised the enduring importance of Holocaust Memorial Day. In remembrance of the six million Jewish victims and those who survived, the day serves as a solemn reminder that antisemitism persists globally, and that the Holocaust represents an enduring symbol against unchecked hatred. The Holocaust Educational Trust, founded in 1988, endeavours to raise awareness about the Holocaust and its contemporary relevance. The Trust played a pivotal role in including the Holocaust in the English school curriculum in 1991, campaigned for the restoration of rightful owners’ assets, and facilitated visits for students and teachers to Nazi concentration camps in Germany. In 2013, then-Prime Minister David Cameron established the National Holocaust Commission to erect a holocaust memorial in the UK.
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