Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration 2012

The First Minister and Deputy First Minister will be holding this year's Holocaust Memorial Commemoration in the Theatre at the Mill on Thursday 26 January 2012 at 7.30 pm.

The theme for the 2012 Memorial Day is 'Speak Up, Speak Out'.

The right to speak up may seem an uncomplicated concept, but the Untold Stories of the past have shown us that voices have been taken away, and are ignored or still silenced today. Holocaust Memorial Day asks us all to Speak Up, Speak Out to share the lessons of the past and the present and to use our voices to create a safer and better future.

Everyone should have a fundamental Human Right to freedom of speech. Each of us has a voice and has the choice to use it. The choices we make in the words and language we use every day contribute to creating a safe and fair society. Under the Nazi regime of hatred (1933 – 1945), the voices of so many were taken away. During the Holocaust Jewish men, women and children were stripped of their right to speak up, to have their own home, to work, to own a radio, attend school and keep their own name, among other restrictions placed on them.  Many other groups and individuals were persecuted by the Nazis.  Trade Unions were disbanded removing the voice of workers, Gypsies were rounded up and sent to concentration camps, and those who spoke out against the regime were often imprisoned or murdered.

During the genocide in Cambodia, ownership of a radio was made illegal, as it was for Jews under the Nazi regime. Time and again, in genocides in Rwanda, Armenia, Bosnia and in Darfur, people have had their voices taken away, others have not spoken up and lives have been changed beyond recognition.  Whilst these atrocities have taken place, many stood idly by and did not speak out against persecution and discrimination. None of us know what we would do if we were faced with a life threatening decision, but we can hope that we will do what is right. Today, we can choose not to be a bystander. We can use the inspiration of those who have spoken up to help others in the past as our motivation to speak out today. We can all learn to use our voices to protect the Human Rights of all.  

Discrimination and exclusion are still rife in our communities, we hear of stories of atrocity across the world, yet some remain bystanders. Now it is time for us, irrespective of our background, to speak up for what we believe in, for what we understand to be right.  Together, we can learn the lessons of the past to create a safer, better future. On HMD 2012 we must come together to Speak Up, Speak Out.

Ticlets for this year's Holocaust Memorial Day Commemorative Event are free, but please note there are only a limited number available. To apply for tickets please contact:

Tel: 028 9039 3837

Please note that the Theatre at the Mill does not supply tickets.

Further information on events taking place across the UK can be found on the HMD website.