Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us never to forget
The Northern TUC calls for an end to discrimination and prejudice on Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) today.
HMD is held on 27 January every year - the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, where 1.6 million men, women and children were murdered. The day aims to remind people of the crimes, racism and loss of life that took place during World War II and prevent it ever from being forgotten or repeated. It also remembers more recent genocides in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur. It has now been held annually in the UK since 2001.
Alongside the six million Jewish victims of Nazi persecution, hundreds of thousands of others were targeted by Hitler's regime - including union members, lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people (LGBT), disabled people, and those attacked simply for their race.
Sadly racism and fascism are still germane issues today– nearly 70 years after the end of World War Two and it is imperative for the future of society that the discrimination and hatred that led to the Nazi Holocaust must never be forgotten. LGBT and disabled people were among the millions of victims of Hitler's brutal regime, and today they are a vital part of the resistance to modern versions of this hatred. Today is a reminder of why it is essential that unions also continue to play a crucial role in opposing prejudice where and whenever it happens.
Our organisation is a staunch supporter of the acclaimed exhibition ‘Anne Frank: A History for Today” and this month, through a partnership between the Anne Frank Trust, Unite the union and the Northern TUC’s Race Advisory Group it is being hosted by Caterpillar in Peterlee. The exhibition, housed in Caterpillar’s workplace learning centre, was launched on 10th January and provides attendees with an insight into what life was like as fascism swept through Europe during the Second World War. Staff, visitors and children from local schools were all able to visit to gain a greater understanding of what we can all do to prevent the rise of prejudice and discrimination in our own communities and workplaces.
Through her poignant story, the eponymous Anne Frank leaves us with a salutary lesson on the consequences of what can happen when prejudice leads to extreme discrimination. Over one million children, two million women and three million men were systematically murdered because they were considered ‘inferior’ and did not fit the vision of the ‘perfect’ person. We must learn from history and not allow humanity to repeat such atrocities.
Unfortunately, there are those in politics today who continue to seek to stir up racial hatred, division and discrimination within our own communities, ignoring the warnings of history. But, thanks to exhibitions like this and staunch advocacy for tolerance and equity prevailing in our region - from employers, unions and individuals - we are going a long way to ensure we most certainly do not forget.
Beth Farhat – Northern TUC Regional Secretary
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