Freeing the captive mind

Lithuania, consistent in its struggle for the reestablishment of historical truth, continues to uproot the relics of the communist epoch from its everyday life. Having first banned the use of Soviet and Nazi symbols, Lithuania went a step further. The other day, the Seimas of Lithuania passed amendments to the Criminal Code, according to which the public denial of the crimes of either Soviet or Nazi regimes is a criminal offense. The draft will take effect after being signed by the president.

The violation of the new law involves a fine or a prison sentence of up to two years. According to the amendments, one also faces criminal responsibility for a denial of the aggression against Lithuania on the part of the USSR and fascist Germany, of military crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as the belittling or justification of those events.

Besides, the draft also mentions retribution for the denial of the crimes committed against Lithuania and its citizens in 1990-91. However, this law wasn’t created to start any witch hunting. According to the amendments, the abovementioned crimes are punishable only if the relevant statements are made in an insulting tone, are accompanied by threats, or disrupt public order.

In most Central European countries – the Czech Republic, Poland, and the Baltic States – communism is associated with occupation. Its crimes caused no less suffering than those of Nazi Germany. The Lithuanians’ wish to make these two totalitarian ideologies recognizable, in order not to allow their revival on the territory of their country, is quite undestandable.

The Lithuanians maintain that the communist occupation delayed the nation’s development for 50 years. That is why all communist monuments in this country were either destroyed or moved to Grutas Park, the so-called Park of Communism – a ‘living’ memory of those five decades when Lithuania was in the socialist camp.

Ihor YUKHNOVSKY, director of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory:

“Ukraine must follow Lithuania’s example. The communist regime in Ukraine was even more inhumane and cruel, and our country suffered heavy losses. I think that all the post-communist countries have got to get together and condemn the crimes of the USSR. An international trial of communism must be held. The Nuremberg process judged the Nazis, and likewise, there ought to be a trial of the communist regime in order for the world to find closure.

“I think this will be done by all means. I don’t know when this will happen in Ukraine, but it is absolutely necessary for us that the communist ideology is completely pushed out of the political life of Ukraine. We have to remember that all the calamities which struck Ukraine in the 20th century were associated with communists and their activities.