West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has this week marked the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau by signing the Book of Commitment in Westminster.

Thousands of events up and down the country will be held to mark the anniversary remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. The theme for this year’s commemorations is ‘Ordinary People’.

Holocaust Educational Trust works to mark the genocide by arranging more trips for local school children to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp to learn about the events first-hand. This year it is also raising awareness of those affected by genocide since, in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Harriett commented:

“Each year, I join my colleagues signing the Book of Commitment to show that we will continue to remember the six million victims who died in the camps in the Second World War and our commitment to stand up to genocide across the world.

“I’ve taken part in a trip to see the camps first-hand with local sixth-formers and the Holocaust Educational Trust carries out an important role helping children understand the horrific events of more than seven decade ago so that we can preserve this piece of history.

“I would like to take this opportunity to encourage local schools to get in touch with the Trust and take advantage of this very moving learning experience.”

Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said:

“On Holocaust Memorial Day we remember the 6 million men, women and children who were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators, simply for being Jewish, and we pay tribute to the incredible survivors, many of whom still share their testimony day in and day out to ensure that future generations never forget the horrors of the past.

“We also remember that antisemitism did not start or end with the Holocaust, we must all be vigilant, and speak out whenever it is found.”