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Holocaust Memorial Day has been marked at a event in Stornoway today.

 

A special candle was lit to remember the millions of people murdered in genocides across the world.

 

A Holocaust Memorial Day seminar titled "Adopting a Human Rights Framework and Tackling Hate Today" was held for staff involved in for health care, public authorities and the voluntary sector.

 

Key note speakers included Judith Robertson, chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission as well as Chris Oswald, the organisation’s policy chief.

 

An exhibition about the Holocaust was displayed at the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway where a commemoration book was also available for people to sign.

 

Judith Robertson said: “The lessons from the genocide which took place in the 1940s are still very pertinent for our lives today because sometimes it only takes small steps for us to make it ok to make other people alienated.

 

“We need to work to avoid that, to be careful of that, and to recognise when those situations might arise and we can prevent that.”

 

Ms Robertson highlighted it is “really important” to hold such events as it allows people to stop and think and reflect on what is happening in their own communities.

 

“It allows them to learn lessons from outside, and to bring those lessons into their own practice.”

 

Meanwhile, deputy First Minister John Swinney stressed there is no place for bigotry and prejudice in Scotland.

 

At Scotland’s national event in Bishopbriggs to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, he warned of the dangers of denying fundamental human freedoms and allowing bigotry and intolerance to flourish.

 

Mr Swinney said: “It is only through learning the lessons of the past that we can create a future in which all our communities can prosper together in peace.”

Holocaust Memorial Day marked in Stornoway

27 January 2017

Judith Robertson, chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission