SNP mark Holocaust Memorial Day

The SNP marked Holocaust Memorial Day in a debate in the House of Commons, warning against growing intolerance and anti-semitism across the world.

Leading for the SNP in the debate, Kirsten Oswald MP highlighted the importance of hearing the voices of Holocaust survivors to ensure their testimony is preserved for future generations to learn from.Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity to remember the millions of Jews, along with Roma, Sinti and other people murdered under Nazi persecution, and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur, simply because of their identity.

Commenting, Kirsten Oswald MP said:“It’s Burns Night tonight, and his famous line: “Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn” well stands the test of time when we look at the world today, and when we look at the Holocaust and the impact down the generations.“I am often frustrated by the increasing polarisation of politics, and views. There are far more shades than black and white, and public discourse is always the better for appreciating that, and for trying to understand the spectrum of views that are different to one’s own.“

But in this subject, that can never hold true. This is one of those cases where black and white is the only way to look at things.“We all have a responsibility to stand up against antisemitism, intolerance, and hatred in all its forms, to make sure that the horrors of the Holocaust are never repeated.

“I have heard the testimonies of Holocaust survivors, and know how vital it is that their voices are preserved to ensure future generations can hear the reality of what happened, and learn the lessons of the past.

"The theme of this year's Holocaust Memorial Day is the Fragility of Freedom. Freedom is fragile, and we are all the key to sustaining and strengthening it. Let’s heed the terrible lessons of the past, and work hard to keep the voices of those who survived alive, so that those who come after us can do the same.

“I am grateful to the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and Holocaust Educational Trust who work so hard to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust continue to be shared and that the voices of survivors are central to that.”