Every year on 27 January, the world marks Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD). This day provides an opportunity for everyone to learn lessons from the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides and apply them to the present day to create a safer, better future. On HMD we share the memory of the millions who have been murdered in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur in order to challenge hatred and persecution all over the world. On Holocaust Memorial Day 2012, people across the world will be choosing to make their voice heard by taking inspiration from the past and challenging the language of hatred, carefully considering how to use our voice and telling others how we feel in a way that does not harm or offend, whether speaking, online or in writing.
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me
(Pastor Martin Niemoller)
