Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) will be holding the third annual Genocide Memorial Day on 22 January 2012 between 16:00 and 20:00 at the Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London, WC1H 0XG. Press must call 07958522196, or email gmd@ihrc.org to register to attend.

The philosophy of Genocide Memorial Day is to remember “man’s inhumanity to man” through raising awareness of genocides and genocidal acts that have taken place and are still taking place the world over.

In previous years, GMD has remembered the Nazi Holocaust, the transatlantic slave trade, Srebrenica, the Rwandan genocide, the plight of the Palestinians, and many other genocides and genocidal acts.

Speakers at the event will include Professor Ilan Pappe from the University of Exeter; survivor of Srebrenica and activist Hasan Nuhanovic; spokesperson of Neturei Karta UK Rabbi Ahron Cohen; Professor Ramón Grosfoguel from University of California, Berkeley; and Bruce Kent from Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). There will also be a screening of Neigeme Glasgow-Maeda’s documentary Faces of the Slave Trade.

The event will also feature performance poetry by Yemeni poet Sanasino, and a Q&A session with the speakers. Bruce Kent, one of the judges, will be launching IHRC’s poetry competition for 11-18 year olds.

Massoud Shadjareh, the chair of IHRC, said:

“We must never forget the plight of those effected by systematic killing and oppression, and be united in our response of raising awareness for our fellow human beings.”

Saied Ameli, a founder of IHRC, said:

“Islam is a religion which is explicit in forbidding evil and selfishness. Islam promotes peace and harmony among all of mankind. Genocide Memorial Day is a reminder to Muslims that we have a duty to speak for justice and stand against the injustice of genocide in the world.”

Srebrenica survivor Hasan Nuhanovic said:

“The truth is that genocides do not stop when the last bullet is fired. They have a legacy which lasts decades and centuries.

“This fact must never be forgotten. We, the survivors of the Srebrenica genocide, need your assistance in our fight for truth and justice.”

For more information please contact the Press Office of the IHRC at (+44) 20 8904 4222, or via email at gmd@ihrc.org. Alternatively, you can call (+44) 7958522196. [ENDS]

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IHRC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Islamic Human Rights Commission

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