ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley said today:

"The ACDP takes note of tomorrow being International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp in Poland.

It is a reminder of the systematic state-sponsored persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews and others, including Romany gypsies, Christians, Russians and Poles, Communists, Socialists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and homosexuals. Two out or every three European Jews were killed as part of Hitler's Nazi policy.

The ACDP applauds the acts of courage and kindness during the Holocaust in the face of Nazi atrocities. Stories bear witness to the goodness, love, and compassion of people who continually risked their lives to protect and save victims and their families.

The ACDP notes with concern the findings of a report saying that 2009 was a record year for acts of anti-Semitism across the world. This, despite a resolution adopted by the United Nations on November 1, 2005, rejecting any denial of the Holocaust as a historical event and condemning "without reserve” all manifestations of violence against persons and communities based on ethnic origin or religious belief.

We would like to take this opportunity to appreciate the colossal and unsung contribution of South Africa's Jewish community to the wellbeing of our nation.

The ACDP supports International Holocaust Remembrance Day which reminds people everywhere to jealously guard against all forms of hatred against people groups and xenophobia. If we forget the past we are condemned to repeat it. God forbid.”