Those Who Forget Their Own History Are Condemned To Repeat It

10.53.14am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 27th Jan 2005

The European Parliament today marks the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, ahead of solemn ceremonies at Auschwitz itself.

Chris Huhne Liberal Democrat MEP for Hampshire said "Those who forget their own history are condemned to repeat it".

"We must treat this day of commemoration with all the solemnity and dignity it deserves. It is a vital reminder that we should fight all acts of anti-semitism, racism, xenophobia and ethnic discrimination which continue to poison our society".

It was sixty years ago that the true horror of Nazi concentration camps began to be revealed. Over 1 million died at the camp in Auschwitz alone.

Today a joint resolution that was voted through the Parliament which pays homage to the countless victims of the Holocaust and the importance for all Europeans never to forget their history as well as the need for education to instruct both present and future generations.

The resolution calls on all European Institutions and Member States to condemn all acts of intolerance and racial hatred, especially expressions of anti-semitism.

In addition, it recommends making 27th January a permanent European Holocaust memorial day for all EU member states (as is already the case in the UK) and for the Council of Ministers to restart the stalled discussions on an EU law banning incitement to racial and religious hatred.