On January 27th we remember all of the victims of the Holocaust – the 6 million Jews, the Roma and Sinti people, gay men and lesbians, the mentally and physically disabled, religious and political opponents of the Nazis, black people and many Slavic people. By remembering the victims of the Holocaust and honouring the survivors and rescuers who are still with us we reaffirm our shared goals of mutual understanding and justice.

We take this opportunity to recognise that humanity is still scarred by the belief that race or religion or disability or sexuality make some people’s lives worth less than others’. Genocide, anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia and discrimination still continue.

This year’s Holocaust Memorial Day has the theme “One Person Can Make a Difference”. On Friday January 27th we should all consider what we can do as individuals to challenge our own behaviour and moral choices and focus on what can be achieved when we make the choice to make a difference in our own community.

©John Battle MP 23 January 2006