HAMPSHIRE County Council is marking Holocaust Memorial Day.

The flag outside its headquarters in Winchester is flying at half-mast in memory of the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis during the Second World War.

The leader of the authority is Cllr Keith Mans, who represents part of the New Forest.

He said: "On this Holocaust Memorial Day, as we reflect on some of the most appalling events in our history, we must keep in mind what the Holocaust can teach us today.

"The Holocaust reminds us how important it is to stand against all types of modern day discrimination, exploitation and persecution.

"The global pandemic affecting so many parts of our society, in so many ways, has highlighted the inequalities between different groups across the world – inequalities that we, as a society, still have much work to resolve.

“Here in Hampshire, we continue to tackle inequality and discrimination through our work to support all Hampshire’s communities.

"I’m extremely proud of this Authority’s work over the years to tackle hate crime, and through our education services to promote inclusion, and foster respect and understanding between different faiths and cultures.

"I am in no doubt that Hampshire is a better place because of its diversity.

"The importance of Holocaust Memorial Day is to not only remember the victims and the brave men and women who stood together against such persecution but from our reflections, to also become more resolute in striving for tolerance and understanding in our communities.

"Respecting difference and valuing diversity, are behaviours that can never be taken for granted.”

Holocaust Memorial Day is an international event held on the anniversary of the day Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated by Soviet forces in 1945.

The Holocaust, also known as the Shoah - which means "destruction" in Hebrew - took place between 1941 and 1945.