Tony Blair: Holocaust marked a turning point

"Of course, history is littered with instances of people's inhumanity towards one another.

"What made the Holocaust so frightening was its goal, its unimaginable scale and its wickedness in attempting to use false science to further human destruction.

"Each step humanity takes is the product of a struggle between good and evil. We know both exist in our nature.

'Collective evil'

"The Holocaust was the greatest act of collective evil the world has ever known.

"It is to reaffirm the triumph of good over that evil that we remember it.

"We remember it so as we do not forget what the human race at its worst can do.

"We also remember it so as we learn how it happened and never believe, in our folly, that it could not happen again.

"Indeed in some parts of our world it has happened recently.

"The appalling reality of the Holocaust caused a profound crisis in human civilisation.

"But I believe it also marked a turning point in European and human history.

"That is, it served as a catalyst for the reconstruction of our continent founded on the values of democracy, liberty, equality, opportunity.

"Today we gather to light candles and bear witness in remembrance.

"Because the passing of time makes it more vital than ever to remember the Holocaust and try to learn its lessons.

"I hope and believe Western Europe has learned the lessons of its past.

"Yet across the world, and closer to home, we still see the same forces of racism, extreme nationalism and bigotry actively at work today.

"Cambodia, Rwanda and the Balkans prove that hate-mongers and tyrants persist in their conviction that race, religion, disability or sexuality make some people's lives worth less than others.

Holocaust still relevant

"But the Holocaust's deep scar on our history means that we cannot escape the responsibility to oppose genocide today.

"So the Holocaust continues to be of fundamental importance and relevance to each new generation. A reminder, particularly to young people, that the events of the Second World War must never again be repeated.

"In remembering the Holocaust and its victims, we reaffirm the kind of society that we all believe in. A democratic, just and tolerant society.

"A society where everyone's worth is respected, regardless of their or skin colour.

"A society where each of us demonstrates, by our word and actions, our commitment to values of humanity and compassion.

"A society that has the courage to confront prejudice and persecution.

"That is our hope and that is why the Holocaust deserves this permanent place in our collective memory."