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World events mark Holocaust Day | World events mark Holocaust Day |
(about 2 hours later) | |
International events are being held to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in memory of the six million Jews and other victims of the Nazi death camps. | International events are being held to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in memory of the six million Jews and other victims of the Nazi death camps. |
Most of the commemorations take place on 27 January - the date on which the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Soviets in 1945. | Most of the commemorations take place on 27 January - the date on which the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Soviets in 1945. |
Victims of more recent atrocities are also being remembered. | Victims of more recent atrocities are also being remembered. |
On the eve of the memorial, the UN General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution condemning Holocaust denial. | On the eve of the memorial, the UN General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution condemning Holocaust denial. |
The resolution, proposed by the United States and co-sponsored by more than 100 countries, says "ignoring the historical fact of these terrible events increases the risk they will be repeated". | |
The resolution does not mention any particular country, but diplomats said it was aimed at Iran, which has cast doubt on the Nazi genocide of Jews during World War ll. | The resolution does not mention any particular country, but diplomats said it was aimed at Iran, which has cast doubt on the Nazi genocide of Jews during World War ll. |
'Dignity of Difference' | |
Holocaust Memorial Day was set up by the UK Prime Minister in 2001 to create a lasting memorial to the people who perished in the concentration camps, and two years ago the UN designated 27 January as the date for international commemorations. | Holocaust Memorial Day was set up by the UK Prime Minister in 2001 to create a lasting memorial to the people who perished in the concentration camps, and two years ago the UN designated 27 January as the date for international commemorations. |
There are a number of events taking place in Germany | There are a number of events taking place in Germany |
The events include a ceremony at the former concentration camp of Sachsenhausen in Germany. | |
There was also a wreath-laying ceremony on Berlin's Putlitz Bridge, where there is a plaque commemorating the deportation of the city's Jewish community during the Nazi regime. | |
The bridge has been targeted in the past by far-right groups. | |
At Saturday's ceremony, the head of the Green Party, Claudia Roth, said: "We all have a responsibility to combat anti-Semitic and far-right attitudes." | |
It was a view echoed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who urged "all courageous democrats" to fight against the far-right NPD party, which is represented in regional parliaments. | |
On Saturday evening, hundreds of people are expected to attend a concert at Berlin Cathedral. The proceeds will go to a group that provides counselling and support for survivors of the Holocaust living in Israel. | |
Events have been organised in the UK with the message "The Dignity of Difference" and with the aim of educating people about the dangers of anti-Semitism, racism and all forms of discrimination. | Events have been organised in the UK with the message "The Dignity of Difference" and with the aim of educating people about the dangers of anti-Semitism, racism and all forms of discrimination. |
The victims of other atrocities of the 20th Century, including in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Kosovo, are also being honoured. | The victims of other atrocities of the 20th Century, including in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Kosovo, are also being honoured. |
Some six million Jews were killed during the Holocaust - the attempt by Nazi Germany to exterminate Europe's Jewish population during World War ll. | Some six million Jews were killed during the Holocaust - the attempt by Nazi Germany to exterminate Europe's Jewish population during World War ll. |
The Nazis also targeted other groups who were seen by them as racially inferior or degenerate, including Slavs, Roma, homosexuals and disabled people. | The Nazis also targeted other groups who were seen by them as racially inferior or degenerate, including Slavs, Roma, homosexuals and disabled people. |
It is estimated that about 1.5m people were killed at Auschwitz, the biggest of the concentration camps. |