A local MP has pledged his support for the memory of millions of Holocaust victims and survivors as the anniversary of the event approaches.

Holocaust Memorial Day this Friday marks 72 years since the US-led liberation of the Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau at the close of World War 2.

David Davies, MP for Monmouth, marked his own support by signing Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment during the event held in parliament last week.

Mr Davies also paid tribute to survivors, alongside activists who have dedicated their lives to ensuring the horrific events are never forgotten or repeated.

“As the Holocaust moves from living history to just history, it becomes ever more important that we take the time to remember the victims and pay tribute to the survivors,” said Mr Davies.

“It has been a privilege to get to know one such survivor, Mady Gerrard. Originally from Keszthely in Hungary, Mady was imprisoned as a teenager at the infamous Bergen-Belsen camp and now lives near Chepstow.

“Listening to Mady’s story makes me realise how lucky those of us who were born after 1945 have been.

“However, the recent terror attack in Berlin and the continued growth of ISIS in the Middle East should remind us that religious and racial hatred is still prevalent in the modern day despite the lessons of history,” he said.

In the lead up to and on Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.

The theme for this year’s commemorations is ‘How Can Life Go On?’

Karen Pollock MBE, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said, “Our mission is to educate young people from every background about the Holocaust and its contemporary relevance.

“We are very grateful to David Davies for signing the Book of Commitment, signalling a continued commitment to remembering the victims of the Holocaust as well as challenging anti-Semitism, prejudice and bigotry in all its forms.”