Opinions & Interviews

Makei: Belarus will do everything to prevent revival of neo-Nazism

MINSK, 27 January (BelTA) – Belarus will  go the extra mile to prevent the revival of neo-Nazism and counteract any manifestations of ethnic and religious hatred, intolerance and bigotry, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said at the Yama memorial in Minsk during a commemorative event on the occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, BelTA has learned.

According to the minister, on this day, by tradition, Belarus commemorates all the Holocaust victims: those who drew their last breath on Belarusian soil and those who died at the hands of the Nazis and their accomplices in numerous ghettos and death camps throughout Europe. “In my opinion, Belarusians, like no other nations, understand the horror and tragedy of the Holocaust. We remember dozens of ghettos around Belarus, hundreds of thousands of murdered Jewish people; these bloodiest crimes of Nazism remain deeply entrenched in our collective memory. This historical memory and recollections resonate in our hearts, calling to protect human life and dignity and to do everything possible so that the tragedy of the Holocaust will never happen again,” he said.

Vladimir Makei noted with regret that not everyone in today’s world has learned the terrible lessons of World War II. “We see the loss of trust, a growing confrontation in the world. We witness attempts of individual countries to whitewash the crimes of the Third Reich, up to the glorification of the Nazis and their accomplices. This is absolutely unacceptable for us, for Belarus,” the minister said.

The diplomat stressed that Belarus is making consistent efforts to preserve the memory of the Holocaust victims, to prevent the revival of neo-Nazism and any manifestations of racial hatred and bigotry.

The Belarusian state seeks to promote among the young generation values ​​and culture that would help them protect human life and dignity, preserve peace, stability and calm in society,” he said.

Vladimir Makei stated that Belarus, together with international partners, has already done a lot to perpetuate the memory of the victims of World War II, of the heroic deeds of the soldiers who saved the world from the brown plague. “We are not going to stop at this and we will continue opposing the revival of neo-Nazism, any manifestations of ethnic and religious hatred, intolerance and bigotry. On this path, Belarus is open to cooperation with all states that are interested in maintaining peace and stability on the planet, promoting a sustainable and tolerant society,” the minister stressed.

“Let this commemorative event serve as a reminder, a mandate to all of us, regardless of our political views and political differences, to do everything possible so that the Holocaust does not happen again, so that the tragedy of World War II does not recur,” Vladimir Makei said.

The minister laid flowers at the memorial commemorating the Holocaust victims. Taking part in the commemorating event were heads of diplomatic missions of a number of states, MPs, representatives of the diplomatic corps, public and religious organizations.

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