Holocaust Memorial Day is a national annual event to mark the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.
The theme of this year’s event is “Don’t Stand By”. Holocaust survivor Inge Auerbacher and former Head of the UN is Sudan and whistle blower on the genocide in Darfur, Professor Mukesh Kapila will be welcomed by Provost Pat Reid and Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary Alex Neil. Inge and Mukesh will share their experiences and will also address holocaust survivors and 600 invited guests at Falkirk Town Hall..
And for the first time ever in Scotland, drawings by childhood survivors of the genocide in Darfur which were used as evidence in the International Criminal Court are on display as part of the memorial.
On 27th January each year Scotland holds a national Holocaust Memorial Day event to honour the memory of those who suffered and perished under the Nazi persecutions during World War II, and subsequent genocides including Cambodia, Rwanda and Srebrenica.
The day offers an opportunity to join millions of others across the world to come together to pause, to remember and to reflect on what we need to do to create a future free from the dangers of racist violence and discrimination.
The theme in 2016 is 'Don't Stand By' which recognises people who have not ignored genocide and through significant acts of heroism have helped to save the lives of many people. The key note speakers are Professor Mukesh Kapila who was influential in bringing the situation in Darfur to worldwide attention and Inge Auerbacher, a survivor of the Terezin concentration camp.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Alex Neil, said: “The Scottish Government is committed to tackling all forms of discrimination and promoting a multi-faith and multi-cultural society based on mutual trust, respect and understanding. We must never forget those who suffered and died under the Holocaust, and those who continue to suffer because of genocide.
“As we mark Holocaust memorial day and we remember the victims of the Holocaust and genocides across the world we stand in solidarity with the survivors living among us in our communities and recognise our responsibility to raise awareness of what it means to live in an equal and just Scotland.
“This memorial day offers an opportunity to join millions of others across the world to come together to pause, to remember and to reflect on what we need to do to create a future free from the dangers of discrimination.
“We are fortunate in Scotland to live in a liberal society where there is less personal risk in challenging prejudice and discrimination. We cannot imagine the trauma of those living through the Holocaust, or the many genocides that have taken place. We must do all that we can to ensure everyone is included equally and able to live safely in our society.”
Mukesh Kapila said “Remembering the Holocaust and other genocides such as Rwanda and Darfur is vital because we know that if we don’t learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. Times change and so each generation has to revisit the past to make it relevant to the present.”
Mukesh continued “During my visit, I want to learn what the people of Scotland understand to be the true significance of Holocaust remembrance at a time when the world is in so much turmoil from strife and intolerance with millions forced to flee their homes and atrocities reported from somewhere every day. I want to challenge the Scots not to be careless with what they have, and not to be complacent in the face of unfairness and injustice. We know to our collective cost what can happen when good people stand by because they can’t be bothered to stand up”.
Inga Auerbacher said “We must speak out against evil and injustice. Let us build bridges of understanding and love to join mankind in every land. My hope, my wish, and prayer is for every child to grow up in peace without hunger and prejudice.”
The annual event has been organised by Interfaith Scotland for the last five years. Director if Interfaith Scotland, Dr Maureen Sier, said ‘it is an honour to have been involved in helping Scotland to remember the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. It has deep personal implications for my family as my husband’s grandparents were murdered in Auschwitz Birkenau by the Nazis and over the years I have been privileged to hear the stories of survival and courage from those who have faced the unimaginable. I am proud of Scotland, really proud that we will not allow ourselves to forget and that Scotland is committed to working for a world free of such atrocities.
Falkirk Council’s Provost Pat Reid said: “It’s a real privilege to be invited to host the national event which will build on the success of our own local events in recent years.
“It’s a time to pause, reflect and remember the millions of people who have been directly or indirectly affected by discrimination and in the very worst cases, genocide.
“But it is also a time to learn from the past and do our best to work together to prevent all forms of discrimination, and in doing so have a more tolerant society.
“This year’s theme ‘don’t stand by’ puts the spotlight on those who have, at times, risked their lives to speak out about the horrors others chose to ignore.
“Silence is not an option, we all have the ability to speak out and put an end to discrimination, bullying and persecution.”