The Lithuanian Ministry of abroad Affairs informed about the call of the Russian chargé d’affaires in Lithuania, which was given a protest note in connection with the removal of the monument in Tomsk, in the Asian part of Russia, commemorating victims of political repression against Lithuanians, Poles, Latvia, Estonians
And the Kalmuks.
The Lithuanian Centre for the survey of Genocide
and opposition (LGGRTC) recalled that "in Russia there is simply a systematic demolition of historical memory symbols". The Centre asked the Sejm to adopt a resolution assessing, among others, that "the policy of rewriting past
and denial of repression in Russia and Belarus and denial of russian repression and relativisation is simply a dangerous propaganda practice."
April 19 Memorial Square in Tomsk, located
in the city center, he was fenced and then surrounded by officers to let the removal of stones forming the monument.
The Lithuanian Ministry of abroad Affairs requested Russia to explain the causes of the event, as well as to immediately take action to recreate the memorial team. The MFA noted that "in order to prevent the recurrence of past crimes, it is essential to preserve the memory of the victims of both regimes".
On the dismantling of the monument this week, Estonia's head of diplomacy Margus Tsahkna besides stated that specified actions offend Estonians who fell victim to russian terror. Latvia besides condemned the actions of the Russian authorities in Tomsk.
The Memorial of Victims of Political Repression in Tomsk opened in 1992 at the initiative of the city administration
and – present already banned – Memorial Association.
APW, PAP
