Speaking up against hate best testament to Holocaust (Ilford South Liberal Democrats)

Ilford South Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Speaking up against hate best testament to Holocaust

January 27, 2012 10:15 AM
Originally published by Sarah Ludford MEP

Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and London MEP Sarah Ludford attended an event in London to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, as well as a ceremony in the European Parliament earlier in the week. She has signed the 'Speak up, Speak out' pledge against prejudice and discrimination.

Sarah Ludford commented:

"Today is principally about paying respects to the Holocaust victims, 6 million Jews as well as gay, Roma and disabled people who died at the hands of the Nazis."

"But the 'never again' vow did not endure, so we also remember with shame the victims of later genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur."

"The lesson we need to learn is that our voices can be powerful in stopping persecution, but only if we speak out firmly in protest, individually and collectively. Our best testament to the victims of hate is to refuse to tolerate its repetition."

"I am a passionate believer that the EU, founded in reaction to the Nazi and Stalinist eras, is one of our best defences against human rights abuses. But we have to work hard on a daily basis to ensure that everyone lives free of fear whatever their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation."

Notes to Editors

More information about Holocaust Memorial Day can be found here: http://hmd.org.uk/about

You can sign the 'Speak up, Speak out' pledge here: http://www.speakupnow.org.uk/