News

On 20 April, Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a letter to the Vilnius city municipality regarding the march that the Union of the Russians of Lithuania organizes on 9 May in the centre of Vilnius to commemorate the victims of the World War II.

Participants of the event intend to gather in Vincas Kudirka Square and march down Gediminas Avenue to the Cathedral Square.

The letter highlights the fact that in accordance with the law on notable days, the memorial day for the victims of World War II is celebrated on 8 May.

9 May is announced as Europe Day. On this occasion, the Vilnius city municipality in cooperation with Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the company “Concept events & media” are organizing the European Fair on Gediminas Avenue. This fair is held annually. This year it will be organized for the sixth time.

“Given the fact that in some other countries the end of the World War II is commemorated on 9 May as the Victory Day and that it is perceived more than ambiguously in Lithuania, the march, which is organized by the Union of the Russians of Lithuania in Vilnius city centre, could cause negative reactions in the society or even provoke various protest campaigns and hinder the events of the European Fair, which is organized for the sixth time already,” Lithuania’s MFA wrote in the letter.

Although the Article 36 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania guarantees the freedom of assembly, however, the same article of the Constitution stipulates that this right may be limited “when it is necessary to protect the security of the State or society, public order, people’s health or morals, or the rights and freedoms of other persons.”

In compliance with this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requests the Vilnius city municipality to suggest another venue for the commemorative event that is organized by the Union of the Russians of Lithuania.