Homel Activists Struggle For Preservation Of Jewish Heritage

Lukashenka's rule became a serious challenge for the historical memory of the peoples of Belarus.

On August 24, President of the World Association of Belarusian Jews Yakov Gutman and head of the socio-political center in Homel Uladzimir Katsora, will hold a joint press conference: "The Jewish Historical Heritage of Belarus is the past, present without a future". It is planned to raise questions about the construction of residential buildings in Jewish cemeteries in Homel and Mazyr, the website gomelspring.org reports.

As noted in the special press release of the organizers, during the time of Lukashenka's reign the Jewish historical heritage suffered irreparable losses.

The synagogue in Luban, two synagogues in Minsk were destroyed. Excavations were carried out in Jewish cemeteries in Hrodna, Homel, Mazyr, Vaukavysk. The authorities of Belarus, the law-enforcement agencies received dozens of appeals with hundreds of signatures from people, organizations of Australia, Israel, the United States with the demand to leave the burial places in peace.

Chief Rabbi of Russia Adolf Shaevich, addressing the ruler of Belarus in 2016, wrote: "Our religion, like Christianity and Islam, demands unconditional respect for the remains of the deceased. The Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Burial and Funeral Affairs" prohibits any construction on the territory of cemeteries, regardless of the date of the last burial." The same law prohibits the erection of capital structures on the land where old graves are located, with the exception of memorial and religious objects."

The organizers also note that last year our country and the US signed an international agreement on the protection and preservation of certain cultural values, under which they assumed mutual responsibility for the protection of the cultural heritage of all national, religious and ethnic groups that live or lived in their territories. This Agreement applies also to the ancient cemeteries.

"However, unfortunately, the signing of the Agreement did not stop, but gave new impetus to the construction of residential buildings in Jewish cemeteries in Homel and Mazyr. The courts refuse to accept the claims of the defenders of the places which are sacred for every sane person. They are under pressure, "- said in a press release.

The press-conference will be held on August 24 at 14.00 in the Social and Political Center at Palesskaya Street, 52, Homel city.

Media representatives and interested persons are invited.