97% percent of people are aware that Jewish people were victims of the Holocaust, yet around half the population are not aware that Roma and Sinti, and Gay and Lesbian people and disabled people were also persecuted. [what about Freemasons? - Ed.]
This figure increases to over 75% in the case of the Black victims of Nazi discrimination. The survey results, conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT), are released ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January, and the charity is calling on the public to light a candle as a symbol of their commitment to learning the lessons of the past and creating an inclusive society for the future.
The survey also found that:
• 41% of us believe a Holocaust could happen in Britain
• 36% of us think most people would stand by and do nothing if it were to happen.
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust Chairman, Dr Stephen Smith commented: “It is heartening to see that the majority of the public are aware of what happened to Jewish people during the Holocaust, but the results also emphasise the continuing need to educate people on the extent to which Nazi discrimination effected many other groups. It is important remember the genocides which shame our history, and to tell the story of all those that have suffered and lost. This is the way to tackle discrimination head on. This year, on Holocaust Memorial Day, we invite the country to celebrate what makes our communities unique, and recognise that we are all the same, but different. We are calling on everyone to light a candle in memory of all those who have been persecuted in genocides across the world.“
The key message of Holocaust Memorial Day 2007 is Same. But Different. It invites the public to take pride in both their differences, and their common humanity. The day will promote the need for the nation to be aware of all the victims of Nazi persecution and other genocides, and to build a more tolerant future. If you want to be a part of Holocaust Memorial Day, visit the www.hmd.org.uk to find out where your local event is taking place.
For interviews with Dr Smith or a survivor, contact Zula Haigh on 0207299 8783
Notes to Editor: Holocaust Memorial Day
• Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is the 27 January every year, to commemorate the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The United Kingdom national commemoration will be on 28 January in Newcastle upon Tyne. It will highlight the tragic results of prejudice and intolerance, through learning about the Holocaust, other victims of Nazi racial policies and genocides like those in Rwanda and Bosnia, and the situation in Darfur.
• In November 2005, the United Nations established Holocaust Memorial Day as a day of remembrance across the World.
• Further information can be found by visiting www.hmd.org.uk Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is a registered charity,established in 2005. Its objectives can be summarised as:
To commemorate and remember the victims of the Holocaust; the persecution and mass murder of six million Jews.
To commemorate and remember the victims of persecution and murder that resulted from the targeting of other groups of people by Nazi race policies. These include the Roma and Sinti, Black people, mentally and physically disabled people, lesbian and gay people and many of the Slavic peoples;
To promote harmony between communities, including racial and religious harmony; To promote universal human rights;To promote equality and diversity and the elimination of discrimination by raising awareness of the causes and effects of racism and prejudice in society. This includes awareness of the impact of the Holocaust and other acts of systematic discrimination that leads to genocide.
Holocaust Memorial Day Theme 2007
• The 2007 theme paper is entitled ‘The Dignity of Difference’.From that, a communications campaign has been devised and resources centred around the strap-line ‘Same. But Different’
• ‘Same. But Different’ emphasises the benefits that a diverse and multicultural society can bring.
• The Same. But Different logo is available for use and can be downloaded from:
YouGov:
• Research was carried out in December 2006
• 2,400 individuals were interviewed from across the United Kingdom by YouGov
• YouGov is a member of the British Polling Council (http://www.britishpollingcouncil.org)