Press release, 26 January 2015
Loreta Graužinienė, Speaker of the Seimas, is taking part in the events of the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust held in the Czech capital Prague. The Fourth International Forum organised to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camps will focus on the fight against the growing anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia in Europe.
According to Mrs Graužinienė, commemoration of the Holocaust and tribute to its victims do not only make it possible to assess the severity of the events which occurred in the past, but also to timely provide for measures to prevent any similar manifestations now and in the future.
“As we are here today to mark the 70th anniversary of the liquidation of the Terezin concentration camp and to pay tribute to the victims of the Holocaust, we need to talk about the painful historical experience in today’s context looking at current problems. Remembering the past and honouring those affected, let us be ready for today’s challenges. Anti-Semitism and other hate crimes are a problem in all societies where they are allowed to flourish. Let us promote tolerance for each other and have international dialogue in order to prevent a repeat of the tragic lessons from the past,” says Mrs Graužinienė, Speaker of the Seimas.
A two-day event is organised by the European Jewish Congress in cooperation with the European Parliament and the Czech Republic. The event has brought together high-level officials, who are signatories to the Terezin Declaration, more than 20 presidents of European national parliaments, Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, members of the European Commission, legislators, representatives of the cultural sector and the media.
The head of the Seimas will participate in the World Civil Society Forum on the first day of her visit to Prague and in a special session for the heads of parliaments on the second day. The visit will also include a bilateral meeting of Mrs Graužinienė with Yuli-Yoël Edelstein, Speaker of the Israeli Knesset.
Secretariat of the Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6002
Neringa Mikėnaitė, Adviser to the Speaker of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6344, mob. +370 698 42759
