27 Jan 2009
It was a great honour to join the Mayor of Hounslow, community representatives and local school children to mark Holocaust Memorial Day today.
This event takes place every year on 27 January - the anniversary of the date of the liberation of Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. It is right and proper that we honour those who survived this terrible persecution, and the memories of those who perished.
Today is also a chance to reaffirm our commitment to the principle of universal human rights. Human rights are under threat in many parts of the world right now so we must be ever vigilant. We also need to educate ourselves and each new generation about the Holocaust and other terrible genocides which have taken place.
The theme for this year's Holocaust Memorial Day is 'Stand up to Hatred'. It urges all of us to look at our behaviour to others; to understand how hate is directed against different minorities in Britain today; to explore how each of us can help make our communities stronger and safer.
Cllr Peter Thompson
Leader
London Borough of Hounslow
