Those who forget their own history are condemned to repeat it

5.15.51pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 26th Jan 2005

The European Parliament marked the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp with a debate and resolution.

London Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford, who led the European Parliament negotiations on the resolution to mark the occasion, recalled:

"Those who forget their own history are condemned to repeat it".

"On the one hand we must treat this commemoration with all the solemnity and dignity it deserves, whilst on the other hand combating with vigour and determination all acts of anti-semitism, racism, xenophobia and ethnic discrimination which continue to poison our society still to this day," she added.

The resolution voted overwhelmingly pays homage to the countless victims of the Holocaust. Stressing the importance for all Europeans never to forget their history, it urges the need for education to instruct both present and future generations. It calls on all European Institutions and Member States to condemn all acts of intolerance and racial hatred, especially expressions of anti-semitism.

The text also recommends making 27th January a permanent EU-wide European Holocaust Memorial Day (which it presently is in some Member States, such as the UK, but not all) and calls on the EU Council of Ministers to restart the stalled discussions on a drat EU law proposed over 3 years ago which would ban incitement to racial and religious hatred. Both these elements were inserted in the text at the instigation of the European Liberals & Democrats group.

Sarah Ludford added:

"I' pleased that European justice Commissioner Frattini was enthusiastic about the idea of the European Memorial Day, and that minister Schmit of the Luxembourg EU Presidency was very keen to revive talks on the law against race-hate. As MEPs we must keep them to their pledges."