21 September
Speaker
of the Seimas, Irena Degutienė, participated at the ceremony dedicated
to the commemoration of Lithuanias Jews Genocide victims at the Paneriai
Memorial.
Speaker
of the Seimas noted at the commemoration that a long period of time has passed
after the cruel events of World War II, during which a few generations have
grown up. However, even today, it is hard to comprehend how such a tragedy
could have taken place in the middle of the 20th century.
The
crimes committed against the Jewish Nation, scope, cruelty and senselessness of
the crimes raises a question again and again: how could it have happened?
Moreover, how could it have happened in Europe,
referring to itself as the Old Continent and the cradle of global culture?
Unfortunately, at that time, the history and culture of Europe
suffered a great loss, degradation and disgrace, Degutienė noted.
The
leader of the Seimas raised a question: was there something more disgraceful
than the fact that many people closed their eyes pretending not to see the
deaths of their fellow people? What was more appalling in this situation: the
deaths of the millions or the indifference of the millions? Where was the
Christian culture at that time and the ideals stated more than once?
Speaker
of the Seimas said that she did not know the answers to these questions,
however, she knew where justice and a human right to call ourselves humans was
hiding.
It
was in the cellars of Lithuanian farmers and flats of intelligentsia, in the
families and church presbyteries, i.e. in the places where victims of war found
hideout and survival, Degutienė said.
Speaker
of the Seimas expressed her hope that the majority of the Holocaust survivors
and the deceased left this world still believing in the enlightened and
righteous side of the human soul.
I
see burning pain in the eyes of the living Holocaust witnesses and their
relatives, but I hope that their hearts still harbour trust in those who
provided hideout to them and rescued them from death, thanks to whom we can
still remain human trusting and having confidence in others, asking for
forgiveness and forgiving, living with heartache and with hope as well, Degutienė
highlighted.
The
leader of the Lithuanian Parliament honoured all those who cherished that hope
and rescued the very essence of humanity by rescuing the Jewish people.
In
my thoughts, I sincerely embrace everyone who still feels the pain, whose
memory keeps drifting back to the middle of the 20th century, to the time of
death of their parents, brothers, friends, and relatives. I sincerely offer my
condolence to them and I bow my head in the memory of the Holocaust victims
here and in all the cemeteries worldwide. I bow my head to the living; I bow my
head to the deceased, Degutienė said.
Secretariat of the Speaker of the Seimas
Mr Juozas Ruzgys, Advisor to the Speaker
