The decision to dismantle the so-called Occupation monument in Pārdaugava was correct, but it is important for the decision to be made by the Saeima using a separate law to remove all bureaucratic obstacles for Riga City Council to execute this decision, said Latvia’s President Egils Levits.
According to him, «the object in Pārdaugava is not a mute witness of history. It has always been a symbol of Soviet occupation. The Red Army drove German occupants from the country and then established a Soviet occupation regime. It lasted another 45 years and claimed tens of thousands of innocent people’s lives. We did not the first or the second group of occupants.»
«For a long time this object has been used by Russia’s autocratic regime. Most people come to this monument not as much to commemorate the fallen, but to publicly promote Kremlin’s imperialistic narratives and vision for the world. But after 24 February this object left by occupants in Pārdaugava acquired a new meaning. Events of last week indicated that it can motivate some people to extreme, Russian war crime-glorifying behaviour in public space,» stressed Levits.
He adds that public glorification of an «imperialistic ‘Russian world’ and war crimes has no place in a democratic society. The war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Russia have drawn a clear line. For Latvians and all patriots of Latvia the object left by Soviet occupants in Pārdaugava is a symbol of Latvia’s occupation and military aggression committed by Putin’s Russia against its neighbours.
It embodies contempt to Europe’s values and the foundation of our country. No democratic society boasts war crimes. They are put on trial for them and condemned. This is why this object of Kremlin’s propaganda needs to be dismantled.»
«This is why Riga City Council’s decisions to dismantle it is correct. The reaction of Latvia’s society, which donated more than EUR 240 000 towards the monument’s dismantling in a very short time, proves the decision came in time. On 20 May Latvia’s patriots will organize a procession to honour our country’s liberation from all forms of Soviet heritage. The toxic radiation from this object reaches beyond a single municipality. This is why it is important for the decision to come from the Saeima using a separate law to lift all bureaucratic obstacles for Riga City Council to execute this decision. All sides involved – Riga City Council, Saeima and the government – should act coherently, decisively and in the name of a common goal,» said the president.
He continues: «We in Latvia condemn the crimes committed by the Nazi and Soviet totalitarian regimes. We in Latvia remember and honour the victims of WWII, including the soldiers who died on all sides. Our opinion is clear: justification of totalitarian regimes and Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine is unacceptable. The object left by Soviet occupants Pārdaugava must be demolished.»