The TUC [Trades Union Congress] is calling for an end to discrimination and prejudice on Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) today (Wednesday).

HMD commemorates the loss of life in the holocaust of World War II, and in more recent genocides in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur. It is held on the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, where 1.6 million men, women and children were killed in the Nazi holocaust.

HMD aims to remind people of the crimes and racism of the holocaust and prevent it being forgotten or repeated.

Alongside the six million Jewish victims of Nazi persecution, hundreds of thousands of others were targeted by Hitler’s regime - including union members and lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people (LGBT) people.

Members of the TUC LGBT committee are attending the national memorial event in London, and are urging LGBT people and union members to support HMD events taking place around the country.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: ‘Unions have always stood up to the kind of discrimination, prejudice and hatred that led to the Nazi holocaust and more recent genocides across the world.

‘LGBT people were among the millions of victims of Hitler’s brutal regime, and today LGBT communities are a vital part of the resistance to modern versions of this hatred. I am proud that LGBT union members are taking part in the event.’