Opinions & Interviews

PM: Fascist atrocities are an open wound of Belarusian people

BREST, 22 June (BelTA) - The atrocities committed by the Nazis on our land during the Great Patriotic War are an open wound of the Belarusian people, Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said during a commemorative rally at the Brest Hero Fortress memorial complex on the Day of National Remembrance of the Victims of the Great Patriotic War and the Genocide of the Belarusian People on 22 June, BelTA has learned.

Roman Golovchenko noted that in the history of every nation there are events the memory about which is sacred. For Belarusians, this is the Great Patriotic War. "Our land was the first to experience the fascist military machine. Brest Fortress became the frontline of defense, mounting most fierce resistance. The exceptional courage and heroism of the Soviet people in the citadel, their indestructible fortitude, will to resist and faith in Victory became an insurmountable obstacle to the offensive of the occupiers," the prime minister stressed. 

Belarusians carefully preserve and protect the memory of all those who won peace, freedom and independence for us, liberating the country from the fascist invaders. The bloody crimes of the aggressors have no statute of limitations. The truth about this serves as a serious warning to humanity. "Almost every day we learn more of that terrible war. In the course of the investigation of the criminal case into the genocide of the Belarusian people, the Prosecutor General’s Office established 98 places of forced detention of people, 3,253 completely or partially burned settlements. During the Nazi occupation, more than 3 million civilians and prisoners of war were killed on the territory of Belarus; more than 380,000 people were taken to German for slave labor, many of whom died in unbearable conditions. The atrocities of the Nazis committed on our land are an open wound of the Belarusian people," Roman Golovchenko said. 

At the same time, a large-scale campaign to destroy the Soviet memorial heritage is gaining momentum in many Western countries. The burial places of Soviet soldiers who died in the battles for the liberation of Europe from fascism are being desecrated. "Belarus still stands like an indestructible Brest Fortress in the way of Nazi followers, preventing the revival of an ideology alien to Christian morality. This is our sacred duty to the heroes, veterans and victims of the Great Patriotic War," the head of government stressed. 

Belarusians remember the high price that the people paid to win the right to a peaceful life. Therefore, plans to put pressure on Belarus are doomed to failure. "Being here, at the border, at the other side of which they are building up the military force in a demonstrative manner, we are especially acutely aware of the importance of protecting the borders of our Motherland. Preserving the memory soaked in the blood of the Soviet people, we are able to provide an inevitable and adequate response to anyone who dares to encroach on peace in our country. We will not allow anyone to violate the peace won for us by our ancestors, or to take away the highest value of the Belarusian people - independence," Roman Golovchenko said. He added that the unity of the people and a strong state are a guarantee of peace and security, a guarantee that the tragic lessons of the past will not repeat.

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