The words were strong and the emotions were high as an international congress in Vilnius claimed that communists killed 100 million people throughout the world and appealed to the United Nations and all democratic countries to create a special tribunal fo
Published:
25 June 2000 y., Sunday
Witnesses from Lithuania, Bulgaria, Hungary and other Central European countries spoke about their personal suffering from communist repression. Lithu-anian lawyer Vytautas Zabiela said that the process would have only moral, not legal consequences. Lech Walesa, the former
president of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, attended the congress held June 12-14. He received the Nobel Peace Prize for fighting against the communist regime when he was the leader of the Polish independent Solidarity trade unions.
"More people were killed in peace time than during two world wars in this part of the world," Walesa said about communist terror.
The congress participants, victims of communist repression, politicians, political scientists and lawyers from 23 countries, said that Vilnius is a symbolic place for such an anti-communist forum. Lithuania lost one-third of its population during Soviet occupation because of killings,
deportations and forced emigration, said Povilas Jakucionis, chairman of the Lithuanian Political Prisoners and De-portees Union. This union and three similar Lithuanian organizations of victims of communism organized the congress.
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
Bulgaria's annual Festival of Humour took place today, poking fun at the global recession.
more »
The Belgian city of Ghent is going green by urging its residents to eat more greens. Ethical Vegetarian Alternative campaigners want them to go veggie every Thursday They say that if the whole city did that for a year it could save the equivalent carbon emissions of 20,000 cars.
more »
Baking is something David Muniz and David Lesniak know a thing or two about.
Originally from the States, the pair moved to Britain two years ago and have been supplying London with their American-style cakes ever since.
more »
A collection of 16th and 17th century torture devices is up for auction in New York. Judging by some of the items for sale, we've come a long way.
more »
Despite vigorous efforts, men and women do not always get the same start or benefit from the same opportunities.
more »
Across Europe the amount of time new mums can have off after the birth of their child varies from 14 weeks to 2 years.
more »
As the world No.1 carmaker announced billions in losses, an increasing number of auto industry workers near its Toyota City are hungry and sleeping in tents after losing their jobs and homes.
more »
With a media turnout worthy of a superpower summit in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City - Donald Trump - the Miss USA pageant owner - decided the fate of Miss California USA Carrie Prejean.
more »
A conversation is taking place across Europe as people use choice boxes to record their questions and comments on what the European Union should be doing ahead of the European elections from 4-7 June.
more »
MTV teams up with EU on campaign to encourage young people to vote.
more »