Don't lose sight of human rights government warned

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has today called on the government not to lose sight of human rights protection ahead of the second Holocaust Memorial Day event in Co Armagh tonight.

The Chief Commissioner, Professor Brice Dickson, voiced his alarm at reports that the government is set to consider tougher criteria for asylum seekers. Among asylum applicants, said Prof Dickson, are those who could face torture in their countries of origin should their application be denied.

"This goes against some of our most fundamental treaty obligations," Prof. Dickson said.

"It would be absolutely horrifying for the United Kingdom to renounce principles that were universally accepted as setting the 'bottom line' in the post-Holocaust world."

The commemoration event, which is being hosted by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM), Armagh City and District Council, and the Belfast Jewish Community forms part of the UK-wide memorial day.

Commenting on Northern Ireland's commemoration, former First Minister, David Trimble said: "We in Northern Ireland have an understanding of the trauma inflicted by violence, sectarianism and hate, but we can never identify with the sheer scale of the suffering inflicted during the Holocaust.

"However, we can empathise with its victims – Jewish and non-Jewish. The Holocaust is a solemn warning of what happens when democracy surrenders to fascism."

Around 300 invited guests are expected to attend the event at which the Statements of Commitment from the Stockholm Declaration of January 2000 – which was signed by 44 governments from around the world – will be read.

An act of commemoration will then take place with prayers being offered during the lighting of symbolic candles. Guests will be invited to reflect on the lessons from the Holocaust and pay their respects to those who suffered and lost their lives at that time or in subsequent acts of large-scale genocide.

During the second part of the ceremony those present will listen to the tragic stories of three of the many young children who suffered during the Holocaust, a selection of poems written by children at that defining time in world history, together with music involving the Belfast Synagogue Choir and the Chamber Choir of The Royal School Armagh.

(MB/GMcG)