“If people do not do anything they could be helping the persecutors.”

Orianne Brown speaks of how, by not standing up for what they believe is right, and railing against discrimination, prejudice and hate, people could unintentionally help to pave the way for terrible events such as the Holocaust.

As a regional ambassador of the Holocaust Educational Trust, the pharmacy student at the University of Bradford raises awareness of the atrocity, how it happened and why we need to work hard to prevent similar genocides in the future.

“The Holocaust started with small amounts of discrimination such as verbal abuse of Jewish people. If people had objected to that sort of behaviour, had retaliated against anti-Semitism and not voted for the Nazi party they would not have gained power.

“If we kill discrimination at the roots it prevents it from growing.”

To mark the annual Holocaust Memorial Day - which commemorates the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides - Orianne is hosting a candlelit vigil outside the Café Bar Pavilion in City Park. Three speakers will take part: the Reverend Suzanne Vernon-Yorke, co-ordinating chaplain at the University of Bradford Students’ Union, Councillor Michelle Swallow of Bradford Council and Professor Robert Parkin, the pro-vice chancellor of the University of Bradford.

Orianne said: “The Holocaust is an unprecedented example of what can happen when prejudice, discrimination and hatred are allowed to take hold of a society. We want to help people to gain a new or better understanding of the Holocaust, and also for people to question what they can do to challenge these evils in society and promote equality and diversity.”

She adds: “The event is about everyone coming together and pledging not to stand by.”

The date - January 27 - marks the 71st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Berkenau.

Co-organiser Samayya Afzal, from the University of Bradford Student's Union, says: “We mark Holocaust Memorial Day with this service to reflect on the atrocities of the past, to remember those who suffered and to reiterate our commitment to never allowing humanity to make the same mistakes again.

“The theme for this year resonates, particularly given what we see around us in the world today and encourages us to be active in supporting those under oppression.”

She says it is a pertinent time to remember the words of Holocaust survivor and Nobel Prize winning writer Elie Wiesel’s words on our impact as bystanders: ‘Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.’

Orianne is also serving as master of ceremonies at a Bradford Council event at City Hall, where the programme - introduced by the Lord Mayor of Bradford Joanne Dodds - will include a talk by Council leader David Green, music and readings from pupils at local schools.

Hanneke Dye, who was born in 1943 to Jewish parents, in Nazi-occupied Holland and kept safe thanks to the kindness of local people, is the guest speaker. Mrs Dye, who now lives near Skipton, was hidden in a vacuum cleaner box as a baby, and later had her hair dyed blonde to ensure her survival.

Suzanne Vernon-Yorke says: “It is important that we remember not only the six million Jews killed during the Holocaust, alongside many others, but also those who have been killed in genocides since then, in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

“The theme for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘Don’t Stand By.’ This message is not just for world leaders, but for each of us - a message not to stand by and do nothing when we see persecution and discrimination, but to demonstrate courage and speak out.”

“For me it’s important that we remember that the large numbers of deaths we may hear about in genocides is made up of individuals, with hopes, dreams, families and friends, just like you and I. Every single human being is so significant and so precious.

“It is important for humanity to remember the huge loss of human life, but we have to learn the lessons of these tragedies too. We see the horrors human beings are capable of, but it’s vital that we remember the great courage and love that we can demonstrate too.

“Holocaust Memorial Day is a tragic reminder to us that we get to choose how to treat one another. Love and acceptance will always be the wisest choice.”

*The Holocaust Memorial Day service will be held at City Hall, Bradford, on Wednesday January 27 at 11am; the Candlelit Vigil in City Park will be held tomorrow (Wednesday January 19) evening at 5pm.