We, the supporters of this Resolution,

Remembering that the Baltic nations suffered 50 years (1940–1990) of captivity by the Nazi and Soviet totalitarian regimes, which tried to curb religious freedom and destroy their distinctive way of life,

Recalling massive support (about 6 million signatures) of South American Christians to the Baltic freedom cause in 1990,

Recalling the solidarity demonstration of the Baltic Way that occurred on 23 August 1989 and where two million people joined their hands to form a human chain from Vilnius through Riga to Tallinn, to protest against the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and to seek independence and freedom,

Keeping in mind the fact that this momentous event has recently become part of UNESCO’s Memory of the World programme in 2009,

Recalling other examples of restoration of independence in Central Europe in general and analogous historical events such as reconciliation of all races in South Africa in 1993 and the independence gained by India through peaceful change in 1947,

Keeping in mind the bravery, firm resolution and unceasing efforts of the Parliament of Lithuania first elected in 1990, to pave the way for a more harmonious political future where human dignity is respected and protected,

Acknowledging the successful efforts of Lithuanian governments and Lithuania’s open society during last 25 years in creating a pluralistic democracy in which people with different ethnic backgrounds and various religious beliefs exist and prosper,

1. Give word of support to the re-established Independence of Lithuania and other Baltic states that are promoting freedom and stability in the region;

2. Cherish the memory of those who struggled for and especially those who lost their lives for a righteous and unselfish cause of freedom;

3. Wish that coming generations would continue to strive for a peaceful, harmonious and prosperous future of the independent people of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia;

4. Appreciate the maturity of these societies that spread the universal value of restoring freedom and independence in a peaceful way.