This written declaration commits only those who have signed it.
We, the undersigned, declare the following:
The Second World War was an enormous tragedy for the nations
of Europe, as well as for the entire world as a whole, leaving tens
of millions dead in European countries.
The Nuremberg Tribunal carried out a rigorous legal analysis
of the events of that time, convicting the perpetrators of barbaric
crimes against humanity.
Sadly, with the passage of time, not only are the lessons
of history now being forgotten but they are also being deliberately
distorted for political ends. There is indignation too over the
destruction of burial places of soldiers who fell in the struggle
to liberate Europe.
We believe it necessary that history textbooks for schools
and universities in all Council of Europe member States provide
truthful information on the Second World War taking account of the
views endorsed by the Nuremberg Tribunal in 1946.
As the 75thanniversary
of the end of the Second World War draws near, we condemn any attempts
to distort the historical truth and we call for support for the
global initiative to grant World heritage status to the Victory over
nazism in the Second World War and the monuments to those who fought
against nazism in all countries.
