Resolution of the UEN Group in European Parliament on establishing 25 May

the International Day of the Heroes of the Fight Against Totalitarianism

February the 18, 2009.

The Union for Europe of the Nations (UEN)

- considering the UN Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations

to War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity;

- considering the provisions of the following articles of the Council of Europe’s

Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms: Art. 1 -
Obligation to respect human rights, Art. 2 - Right to life, Art. 3 - Prohibition
of torture, and Art. 4 - Prohibition of slavery and forced labour;

– considering Resolution 1481/2006 of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary

Assembly on the need for international condemnation of crimes of totalitarian
communist regimes;
– Considering Art. 113 of the Bylaws;
A. having in mind that the murders committed and enslavement caused under the acts
of aggression perpetrated by Fascism and Stalinism qualify to be considered war
crimes and crimes against humanity;
B. having in mind the suffering of many nations during the two world wars
(concentration camps, planned mass extermination of people, millions of victims of
the fascist and Stalinist regimes);
C. having in mind the living testimony and steadfast attitude of many people,
including Rotamaster Witold Pilecki - the only person who voluntarily went to a
concentration camp in order to organize resistance movement there and collect
information about mass murders;
D. accentuating the importance of keeping the living memory about the past and the
people who, similarly to Witold Pilecki, should be written into the awareness of
Europeans as the heroes of the totalitarian age, because of their dedication,
faithfulness to ideals, honour and courage;
E. emphasizing the fact that only a strong and historically aware Europe has the
ability to ensure opportunities that overcome the monstrosities of the past;
F. paying a special tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives, fighting
totalitarian systems;
1. proposes that the day of 25 May (the anniversary of the execution of a death
sentence on the Auschwitz Hero, Rotamaster Witold Pilecki, executed on 25 May
1948) be established the International Day of the Heroes of the Fight Against
Totalitarianism,
2. believes that the establishment of the said Day will be an expression of
respect and tribute to all those who, by fighting tyranny, gave a testimony to
their heroism and true love for mankind, and that it will provide future
generations with a clear indication of the correct attitude in the face of the
threat of totalitarian enslavement.
3. puts the President under the obligation to deliver this Resolution to the
Council, the Commission, the parliaments of the Member States, the governments and
parliaments of the candidate states, the governments and parliaments of the states
affiliated with the European Union, the governments and parliaments of the Members
States of the Council of Europe, and to the Congress of the United States of
America, as well as to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, and to the
Secretary General of the United Nations.
This resolution was originally introduced by Michal Tyrpa
see civic action “Let’s Reminisce About Witold Pilecki” (“Przypomnijmy o
Rotmistrzu”): www.witoldsreport.blogspot.com , http://www.foltynkubicka.pl/en ,
www.michaltyrpa.blogspot.com