‘We are grateful to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial for its long-standing cooperation with Lithuanian authorities in helping to preserve the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and to pass it on to the younger generations, honouring the rescuers of the Jews and their exemplary humanism. The remembrance is also a lesson and a warning for today - to protect the dignity and equality of all human beings and spare no effort in the face of aggression and hatred,’ said Prime Minister Šimonytė, adding that the crimes of the totalitarian regimes of the 20th century oblige us to remain vigilant and to seek accountability of the guilty in today’s context too, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its war crimes, including against the civilian population.
Prime Minister Šimonytė has affirmed that the Government of Lithuania will continue to uphold zero tolerance towards any manifestations of anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial or disrespect for the victims of the Holocaust, and to adhere to the principles of restoring historical justice.
The Head of Government has pointed out as particularly meaningful and effective the attention paid in the education system to the knowledge of the history of the Holocaust and the involvement of schools in promoting its historical memory.
The ongoing adjustment of the general education curricula for grades 1-12 to meet the recommendations of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance on teaching and learning about the Holocaust has been noted by the parties as one of the valuable examples.
According to the Prime Minister, the Government of Lithuania sees the Jewish cultural heritage as an integral part of the country’s history and is ready to continue its efforts in preserving it and restoring cultural heritage sites.
