Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill marked Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) with a powerful message encouraging Scots to "unite in the stand against hatred, intolerance, and prejudice."

Minister McNeill visited the Scottish Jewish Heritage Centre, located within Garnethill Synagogue in Glasgow, where she was welcomed by manager Kerry Patterson and Lionel Most, chair of the centre. The visit highlighted the community's resilience, history, and contributions to Scotland, as well as ongoing efforts to educate about the Holocaust and combat modern antisemitism.

This year’s HMD marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration and death camp. Across Scotland, the UK, and the world, events are being held to remember the six million Jewish men, women, and children murdered during the Holocaust, alongside victims of Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides. The commemorations emphasize the importance of educating future generations about the dangers of discrimination and working to prevent the spread of hatred.

The UK Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting diverse communities, ensuring they can live and worship safely. Through the Plan for Change, the government aims to deliver a decade of renewal and opportunity for all.

As part of HMD activities in Scotland, Minister McNeill also hosted a pre-HMD event at the UK Government’s Edinburgh hub, Queen Elizabeth House. The event featured Gillian Field, daughter of Holocaust survivors Henry Wuga MBE and Ingrid Wolff BEM, who shared her parents’ story of survival and resilience. Both Henry and Ingrid arrived in Glasgow in 1939 as part of Kindertransport, a mission that rescued Jewish children from Nazi-controlled Europe. Their later contributions to Holocaust education earned them prestigious honors, and Gillian now continues their work by raising awareness of Jewish life and history in Scotland.

Reflecting on the commemorations, Minister McNeill said:

«The annual Holocaust Memorial Day is a moment for us all to pause, reflect, and remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust. It also commemorates other victims of Nazi persecution, those who died in more recent genocides, and educates about the importance of continuing to unite in the stand against hatred, intolerance and prejudice.

For the past 200 years the Jewish community has made a significant contribution to life in Scotland, a nation which I’m proud to say played a key role in providing sanctuary to so many refugees. It was a privilege to meet community leaders at the Scottish Jewish Heritage Centre and Garnethill Synagogue and hear of their excellent work. My conversations with them and Gillian Field fill me with hope that the horrors of the past will never be forgotten and that love and respect continue to be the values by which our diverse range of Scottish communities enjoy their lives».

HMD commemorations extend beyond the Holocaust to remember victims of other genocides, including those in Rwanda, Srebrenica, Cambodia, and atrocities against the Yazidi people. Events across the UK, supported by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, highlight the enduring need for education and unity.

The BBC is also marking HMD with dedicated programming across television, radio, and online platforms, providing full coverage of the Auschwitz Ceremony in Poland and commemorative events across the UK. These efforts ensure the lessons of the Holocaust are remembered and shared with future generations. Photo by Mary-Grace Blaha Schexnayder, Wikimedia commons.