Every year on 27 January, the world marks Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD). The day for everyone to remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, and the millions of people killed in Nazi Persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. 27 January marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Berkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. HMD has taken place in the UK since 2001.

HMD falls on a Friday in 2023, Doncaster Council is held a commemorative event on that day.

2024 theme: Fragility of Freedom

The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2024 is Fragility of Freedom.

Freedom means different things to different people. What is clear is that in every genocide that has taken place, those who are targeted for persecution have had their freedom restricted and removed, before many of them are murdered. This is often a subtle, slow process. The ten stages of genocide, as identified by Professor Gregory Stanton, demonstrate that genocide never just happens. There is always a set of circumstances which occur, or which are created, to build the climate in which genocide can take place and in which perpetrator regimes can remove the freedoms of those they are targeting.

Not only do perpetrator regimes erode the freedom of the people they are targeting, demonstrating how fragile freedom is, they also restrict the freedoms of others around them, to prevent people from challenging the regime. Despite this, in every genocide there are those who risk their own freedom to help others, to preserve others’ freedom or to stand up to the regime.

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. 49 years after the Holocaust ended, 19 years after the genocide in Cambodia, the world stood by as Hutu extremists shattered the fragile freedom in Rwanda, following decades of tension and violence, culminating in the murder of over one million Tutsis in just one hundred days.

 

Location

A service is proposed to be held on 26 January, followed by a wreath laying service at the Memorial stone which is located in the grounds of the old Archives on Chequer Road.

More details are on the Twitter page @DoncasterHMD

Remembrance Book

A book of remembrance will again be placed in various locations for people to sign.

HMD Website

Visit the HMD website on www.hmd.org.uk

We are always on the lookout for volunteers to help or contribute to our activities.  If you are interested please get in touch.

Last updated: 09 January 2024 08:22:23

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