Catherine signs Holocause Book of CommitmentNewcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, has renewed her pledge to honour those who were murdered during the Holocaust and the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people, by signing the Holocaust Educational Trust’s annual Book of Commitment.

Catherine signed the Book ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day which takes place tomorrow (27th January), marking the liberation of the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau – the site of the largest mass murder in history.

In the weeks leading up to and after Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.

The theme for the UK’s 2016 Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘Don’t Stand By’.

Catherine said:

‘Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity to remember both the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, and make sure that they – and the unimaginable horrors they experienced – are never forgotten.

‘And the theme of this year’s event – ‘Don’t Stand By’ – is particularly poignant, so long as prejudice and intolerance still exist. With the recent case of Ruhi Rehman racially abused and threatened on the Metro, but vigorously defended by her fellow Geordie travellers, we saw just how powerful and important standing up to bigotry can be.’

Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the HET, said:

‘We are proud that Catherine is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day. As we mark the 71st anniversary of the end of the Holocaust and the liberation of the concentration camps, it is vitally important that we both continue to remember and learn from the appalling events of the Holocaust – as well as ensuring that we continue to challenge antisemitism and all forms of bigotry.’

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