Lithuanian Partisans Declaration of February 16, 1949

February 16, 1949 Declaration by Union of Lithuanian Freedom Fighters

Lithuanian Partisans Declaration of February 16, 1949 (Lithuanian: Lietuvos laisvės kovos sąjūdžio deklaracija) is a document, created by Lithuanian partisans and signed by Union of Lithuanian Freedom Fighters (ULFF) on February 16, 1949 in Minaičiai (Radviliškis District Municipality). By signing the declaration, the ULFF assumed responsibility to lead the restoration of independent democratic state of Lithuania, where equal rights for all citizens and social care is guaranteed. Document also states that "Communist party, as dictatorial and essentially opposite to the main aim of Lithuanian nation and keystone provision of the Constitution – independence of Lithuania, – is not considered a legal party". The declaration appeals to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Lithuanian Constitution of 1922 and addresses whole democratic world asking for help.

Declaration was signed by the chairman of ULFF Council Presidium Jonas Žemaitis-Vytautas and members of the Council: Aleksandras Grybinas-Faustas, Vytautas Gužas-Kardas, Juozas Šibaila-Merainis, Bronislovas Liesis-Naktis, Leonardas Grigonis-Užpalis, Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas and Petras Bartkus-Žadgaila.

In 1996, Seimas recognized the Declaration as an official act of the Republic of Lithuania and Žemaitis as a President of Lithuania.

In 2010, eight partisans, who had signed the Declaration, were awarded with status of signatories. The status (posthumously) was awarded to Bartkus, Grigonis, Grybinas, Gužas, Liesis, Ramanauskas, Šibaila and Žemaitis.

On November 22, 2010, a monument was unveiled in Minaičiai to honor the Declaration and its signatories (author – sculptor Jonas Jagėla). The barn and the bunker, where the Declaration had been signed, were restored in 2012 to house an exposition "Give the Homeland what you have to" (Lithuanian: Atiduok Tėvynei, ką privalai).

Literature

  • Auksutė Ramanauskaitė-Skokauskienė. Laisvės deklaracija ir jos signatarai – Kaunas: Naujasis lankas, 2009. – 56 p.: iliustr. – ISBN 978-9955-03-535-0
  • Lietuvos ypatingasis archyvas, f. K-1, ap. 58, b. 33960/3, t. 10, l. 227
  • Partizanų bunkeryje gimusi deklaracija // Kauno diena, 2009-02-07
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