David Cameron remembers gay victims of the Nazis on Holocaust Memorial Day
On Holocaust Memorial Day, Prime Minister David Cameron pays tribute to all those who were persecuted by the Nazis, including gay people.
Holocaust Memorial Day is an important day. A day to educate and understand the horrors that can take place when hatred, prejudice and intolerance are allowed to go unchecked.
A day to remember the victims of the Holocaust, as well as the gay people, disabled people and Roma who suffered alongside the Jewish people during that awful time and those who have been persecuted in genocides that have taken place since.
And it is a day for commitment, when societies can come together and pledge that these horrors must never be allowed to take place again.
Today, 70 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, Holocaust Memorial Day has an even greater significance.
Last month I visited Auschwitz. I had read books about it, seen films, even had the privilege of meeting survivors – but nothing could prepare me for the reality of that dreadful place. Being there brought home in a profound way the sheer scale of the evil perpetuated and the terrible suffering that took place there.
Many Holocaust survivors work tirelessly to educate others about the unspeakable cruelty of that time by sharing their stories, but we will not always have those remarkable individuals with us.
Today the Commission on the Holocaust I established is publishing a set of recommendations that will ensure we continue to educate and commemorate the horrific events that took place. It is our duty to act now and ensure the lessons of the Holocaust are not lost for future generations.
I want to congratulate everyone involved in the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust for everything they are doing as we embark upon this significant anniversary year.
Today sees our national memorial event take place in London, as well as local events up and down the country.
Holocaust Memorial Day brings together people of every faith and in every community of our country.
Here in Britain, we will always remember.
