On Holocaust Memorial Day, as we mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex, we remember the 6 million Jewish people, Roma, disabled people, LGBTQ+, Slavs, Communists and many others who died as a result of Nazi persecution.
History has shown us the consequences of dehumanising and scapegoating certain communities – but also the life-saving impact of safe routes for many. In the 1930s and 40s, thousands of people fleeing Nazi persecution found safety in other countries - including many children who came during the Kindertransport.
Today, war and persecution continue to drive countless people out of their homes. Instead of being offered safety, they’re often met with more hostility and closed doors on their journeys.
We need to learn the lessons from the past and never let hatred divide us again. But as long as people continue to be oppressed around the world for who they are, what they think, what they believe in, or who they love, they should be given the help they need to find safety and rebuild their lives.