ADDRESS
of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine V. M. LYTVYN
to the participants of the International Conference
"Never again: the memory of the Holocaust and preventing crimes against humanity. A world without intolerance, racism, extremism, negativity and anti-Semitism"
(Moscow, January 25-27, 2012)
Highly esteemed participants of the Conference,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Addressing you on the occasion of Conference opening, I would like to express my confidence that this event will become a considerable contribution into eradication of racism, extremism, anti-Semitism, and national intolerance at this complicated time.
Ukraine is a multi-ethnic, multifaith, and politically pluralistic society, where representatives of over 130 nationalities reside. Therefore, inter-ethnic tolerance is a reliable guarantee of stability and peace. We proceed from the importance of coordinated actions in combating expressions of anti-Semitism, racism and national intolerance, and pay special attention to proper upbringing of our youth and strengthening of social atmosphere without xenophobia and extremism. As an example of such efforts the activity of state-funded educational institutions could be mentioned. We have about 3000 schools and 2000 kindergartens with the languages of national minorities being the languages of instruction.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine makes its contribution to the state policy aimed at eradication of manifestations of any form of intolerance, xenophobia, and anti-Semitism. We focus our attention on improvement of the respective legislative norms, first of all pertaining to the increase of responsibility for nation, race or religion crimes.
Understanding Holocaust and proper commemoration of its victims is of exceptional importance for the Ukrainian society. By studying the history of Holocaust we strengthen mutual respect in relations between people and prevent national antagonism, as this is about the right of a person to life, about the right to remember.
In July 2011, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Resolution, in accordance with which the day of Memory of Holocaust Victims shall be celebrated annually on January 27.
Commemorating the victims of crimes against humanity would be impossible without active cooperation of the state with NGO?s. The examples are the opening of Holocaust Museum in Odessa, activity of Holocaust Study Centers in Kharkiv and Lviv, and Tkuma Central Ukrainian Holocaust Foundation in Dnipropetrovsk.
Last autumn we commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy one of the most tragic pages of the World War II. Commemorative events testified to the fact that Ukraine was and remains a state, the citizens of which manifest responsibility in observing the right of every person to life and memory, and assertion of interethnic accord within our country, as well as cherish historical memory to prevent similar tragedies in future.
Under the auspices of the President of Ukraine V. F. Yanukovych, a memorial museum in Babyn Yar will be established. The museum should become research and educational institution and partner of such international centers as Yad Vashem National Museum in Jerusalem, Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, and the Shoah Documents and Archives Center in Paris.
It is impossible to change the world at once, but the key task for every one of us is to make it kinder and more humane every day.
Volodymyr LYTVYN