Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly, has signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment in the Houses of Parliament. In doing so, Mr David pledged his commitment to honour those who were murdered during the Holocaust and he paid tribute to the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people today.

Holocaust Memorial Day is marked annually on 27 January. This is the anniversary of the liberation of the former Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945. Mr David has previously visited the site of the camp, which is where the largest mass murder in history took place.

In the lead up to and on Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events take place across the country. These events are organised by schools, faith groups and community organisations to remember all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.

Each year there is a different theme to the events on Holocaust Memorial Day and this year’s theme is ‘torn from home’. This year’s theme has been chosen to encourage those taking part in events to reflect on how the enforced loss of a safe place to call ‘home’ is part of the trauma faced by anyone experiencing persecution and genocide.

Speaking after signing the Book of Commitment in Parliament, Wayne David said, “Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity for people from the Caerphilly constituency and across the country to reflect on the tragic events of the Holocaust. The Holocaust did not start in the gas chambers, but with hate filled words. It is therefore important to recognise that genocide does not just take place on its own. It is a process that can begin if discrimination, racism and hatred are not checked and prevented.

“As the Holocaust moves from living history, to ‘just’ history, it becomes ever more important that we take the time to remember the victims and also pay tribute to the survivors. Holocaust Memorial Day is also a chance for everyone to learn how the lessons of the past can inform our lives today and ensure that everyone works together to create a safer, better future. I would encourage my constituents to show their support for this important day.”