UK appoints Envoy for post-Holocaust Issues

Foreign Secretary William Hague has appointed Sir Andrew Burns as the United Kingdom's first Envoy for post-Holocaust Issues.

Press release by the Foreign Office of the United Kingdom: Wednesday 9 June 2010

Sir Andrew, a former UK Ambassador to Israel, will be responsible for leading the Government's efforts on a range of important post-Holocaust work. This includes driving forward implementation of the Terezin Declaration on Holocaust Era Assets, resolving outstanding issues related to property and art restitution, and ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of discussions on the vital work of the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research and of the International Tracing Service.

The Foreign Secretary said:

"The UK is determined to preserve the memory of the Holocaust for future generations. Sir Andrew's appointment will ensure that we continue to support those working to right past wrongs and remain at the forefront of international discussions, to make sure that the lessons of this terrible period in our history are never forgotten.

"As a former UK Ambassador to Israel and chairman of the Anglo-Israel Association, Sir Andrew's wealth of experience means he is ideally placed to tackle the challenges this post presents."

Sir Andrew Burns said:

"I am deeply honoured by the confidence the Government places in me to develop and drive forward policy on such a wide range of post-Holocaust issues. The UK already plays a leading and active role in promoting Holocaust education,
remembrance and research, in tackling and resolving outstanding issues and claims and in raising public awareness of the continuing relevance of the lessons and legacy of that terrible moment in European history. I shall make it an early priority to talk to a broad range of experts and others with an interest in or knowledge of post-Holocaust subjects, in Whitehall and
Parliament and in the wider community, in order to understand as well as I can the scope and substance of the issues involved and can develop a properly co-ordinated and strategic way forward in international discussions."

Anne Webber, Co-Chair of the Commission for Looted Art in Europe, and Michael Newman, Director of the Association of Jewish Refugees, said:

"We have worked closely with the Government to achieve this historic post and very much look forward to working with Sir Andrew at this crucial time with several post-Holocaust issues requiring urgent attention and decisive leadership."

For the full press release issued by the Commission for Looted Art in Europe (CLAE) and the Association of Jewish Refugees
(AJR) see here.