Holocaust commemoration should act as human rights wake-up call

2.42.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 25th Jan 2008

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford will on Sunday, Holocaust Memorial Day, join with millions of Europeans in remembering those who lost their lives in the Holocaust.

Sarah Ludford is vice-chair of the European Parliament's human rights subcomittee and of its anti-racism and diversity all-party 'intergroup'. She is also a member of the Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel.

She commented:

"We owe a duty not only of honour and remembrance to those millions of people who lost their lives as a result of Nazi crimes against humanity, but also a renewed determination to fight the modern-day echo of the forces of racism, hatred of difference and inhumanity that caused this genocide."

"Therefore I strongly agree with the observation of Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks - who I am delighted to say is due to address the European Parliament in 2008 - that 'memory can't change the past but it can help us have the courage to change the future'."

"I hope that EU governments will use this occasion to recommit to the principles of human rights in working to eradicate all instances of persecution, discrimination and prejudice, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, that shamefully still take place on European soil and elsewhere in the world. In the 21st century our goal must be for everyone to be able to live without fear of bigotry based on religion, race or sexuality."

"I welcome the proper decision of the Muslim Council of Britain to take part this year in Holocaust commemoration, in recognition of the fact that its meaning is both specific and universal."