More than 200 persons in Lithuania have been recognized as Defenders of Freedom in the last 18 months after this status was enshrined in law, writes the Lithuanian public media LRT.
In January 1991, Gediminas Jankus was among those who guarded the Lithuanian parliament building to prevent the Soviet army from entering it. He was the leader of a group of riflemen, and after more than 30 years he has been officially recognized as a Defender of Freedom. For him, it means moral recognition of those who had taken an oath and remained faithful to the last.
A year and a half ago, the Seimas of Lithuania adopted a law that determines who can be recognized as a Defender of Freedom. This category includes those who, at the time when Lithuania regained its independence, served in state institutions and had taken the oath of allegiance to Lithuania. Seimas member, the creator of the law, Arvydas Pocius, explained that it was a risky time and that working in state institutions was dangerous.
However, the definition of the law has raised questions for those whose loved ones suffered on the 13th of January, 1991.
The hundreds of people who were injured or killed that night do not meet the definition of Freedom Defenders, which confuses the public because the 13th of January is officially celebrated as Freedom Defenders Day in Lithuania.
The author of the law, Pocius, does not see that there is a contradiction and points out that those persons who were injured or died on the 13th of January were awarded the honorary title of Defender of Independence. According to the deputy, the difference is that the defenders of Freedom did not have the opportunity to leave, because they were bound by the oath they had taken.
A total of 208 persons have already received the honorary title of Defender of Freedom, but three applications have been rejected.
Seimas member Eugenijus Jovaiša, who also participated in the events of 1991, plans to submit amendments to the law, while Počus sees no reason for it: all are recognized, and the honorary title does not bring any material benefit.
Read full article here: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1863310/defenders-of-freedom-or-independence-new-honours-confuse-relatives-of-lithuania-s-january-13-victims