Brussels, 23 January 2025—In a landmark decision, the European Parliament has adopted the Resolution on Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification. This resolution is a pivotal step in combating the misuse of history to justify aggression and promote remembrance across Europe.

This Resolution underscores the urgent need to defend historical facts and counter disinformation campaigns, particularly those orchestrated to justify Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. It condemns the manipulation of history to whitewash Soviet-era crimes and weaponise narratives that undermine democratic values and peace in Europe.

President Marek Mutor’s Statement
President of the Platform, Marek Mutor, emphasised the significance of the Resolution, stating:
“This Resolution is an important voice of support for our Memorial project and a clear statement that history is not only a foundation for education but can also be misused as a tool of harmful influence. We must channel even more energy into initiatives like PEMC, which set historical truth as their highest priority.”

The Pan-European Memorial project aims to create a space in Brussels dedicated to the victims of totalitarian regimes that shaped Europe in the 20th century. The Memorial will remind people of the need for vigilance against oppression and pay enduring tribute to those who suffered under totalitarianism. Learn more about this initiative at memorialbrussels.eu.

A Major Milestone for the Pan-European Memorial Project
The Platform of European Memory and Conscience is especially pleased with Point 14 of the Resolution, which explicitly supports “the building of a pan-European memorial in Brussels for the victims of the 20th-century totalitarian regimes.” This endorsement robustly recognises the importance of our Pan-European Memorial project and its role in preserving historical truth and commemorating the victims of totalitarianism.

The European Parliament’s 2009 resolution called for the creation of the first Pan-European Memorial for the victims of totalitarian regimes. The Platform of European Memory and Conscience embraced this mission, becoming its custodian and spearheading an international design competition in 2017 under the High Patronage of then-European Parliament President Antonio Tajani.

The competition culminated in the selection of “An Echo in Time,” an extraordinary design by Tszwai So. This visionary concept admirably fulfilled our goal for the Memorial: to resonate with future generations, serving as both a cautionary tale against repeating the tragic experiences of the 20th century and a beacon of universal human values. It is nestled in the symbolic heart of the European Union in Brussels.

Key Highlights of the Resolution

  • Condemnation of Russia’s use of disinformation and historical manipulation to justify its aggression against Ukraine.
  • Recognition of the weaponisation of history as a strategy to undermine democratic values and peace in Europe.
  • Emphasis on the need for initiatives that promote democratic resilience, truthful remembrance, and historical education.
  • Support for the creation of the Pan-European Memorial in Brussels, a dedicated space to honour the victims of 20th-century totalitarian regimes, reaffirming the importance of remembrance and historical truth in shaping Europe’s democratic future.

The Resolution was adopted by a significant majority, reflecting widespread support for preserving historical truth and combating harmful narratives.

A Step Forward for Europe’s Approach to History
This Resolution advances the fight against historical manipulation and sets a clear direction for Europe’s remembrance policies. By emphasising the importance of historical truth, the European Parliament conveys that remembrance and education are essential for building a better, more informed future.

The Platform of European Memory and Conscience remains steadfast in realising this significant memorial, which has now received formal backing from the European Parliament through Point 14 of the 2025 Resolution. This is not only a validation of our work but also a call to action to further honour and remember the victims of totalitarianism.

This achievement is also a testament to the dedicated work of many Members of the European Parliament, including the Informal Group on European Remembrance, led by Rasa Jukneviciene. Their commitment to historical truth and remembrance is inspiring and vital for Europe’s democratic resilience!

For More Information
Visit memorialbrussels.eu to learn more about the Pan-European Memorial project and the broader efforts to defend historical truth and promote remembrance.