Genocide and Resistance Research Centre of Lithuania
Encyclopedia
The Genocide and Resistance Research Centre of Lithuania (GRRCL, or LGGRTC) is a state research institute in Lithuania
dedicated to investigation of the crimes against humanity and other persecutions during the Soviet and Nazi occupations (1940–1990), including mass deportations
, the Holocaust in Lithuania, and annihilation of the Lithuanian partisans
. The centre also investigates armed and peaceful resistance, provides juridical evaluations of the perpetrators, and commemorates the resistance fighters and genocide victims. For example, GRRCL recommends former members of resistance for larger state pensions and other awards. The centre publishes the academic journal Genocidas ir rezistencija and operates the Museum of Genocide Victims
in the former prison of KGB
in Vilnius
and memorial at the Tuskulėnai Manor
. One of its long-term research projects is a database and multi-volume publication of names and biographies of the victims of the Soviet and Nazi persecutions. The centre's director is nominated by the Prime Minister of Lithuania
and confirmed by the Seimas
(Lithuanian parliament).
In 1998, Lithuania passed a law restricting employment in the public sector for former employees of the KGB
, the MGB, and other Soviet security institutions. The centre and the State Security Department had the authority to determine whether a person was an employee of the KGB. In 2001–2001, the centre handled some 22,000 applications for compensation from the Foundation "Remembrance, Responsibility and Future"
. In 1999–2002, the centre was involved in legal proceedings regarding Nachman Dushanski
, a suspected war criminal against the Lithuanians and an Israeli citizen. In 2002, commemorating the 30th anniversary of Romas Kalanta
self-immolation
, Seimas
listed May 14 as the Civil Resistance Day based on recommendations by GRRCL.
In 2009 the Seimas confirmed Birutė Burauskaitė, a dissident of long standing, as the Center's director.
The centre is a member organisation of the Platform of European Memory and Conscience
.
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
dedicated to investigation of the crimes against humanity and other persecutions during the Soviet and Nazi occupations (1940–1990), including mass deportations
Population transfer in the Soviet Union
Population transfer in the Soviet Union may be classified into the following broad categories: deportations of "anti-Soviet" categories of population, often classified as "enemies of workers," deportations of entire nationalities, labor force transfer, and organized migrations in opposite...
, the Holocaust in Lithuania, and annihilation of the Lithuanian partisans
Lithuanian partisans
The Lithuanian partisans can refer to various irregular military units in different historical periods active in Lithuania against foreign invaders and occupiers:...
. The centre also investigates armed and peaceful resistance, provides juridical evaluations of the perpetrators, and commemorates the resistance fighters and genocide victims. For example, GRRCL recommends former members of resistance for larger state pensions and other awards. The centre publishes the academic journal Genocidas ir rezistencija and operates the Museum of Genocide Victims
Museum of Genocide Victims
The Museum of Genocide Victims in Vilnius, Lithuania was established in 1992 by order of the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture and the President of the Lithuanian Union of Political Prisoners and Deportees. In 1997 it was transferred to the Genocide and Resistance Research Centre of Lithuania...
in the former prison of KGB
KGB
The KGB was the commonly used acronym for the . It was the national security agency of the Soviet Union from 1954 until 1991, and was the premier internal security, intelligence, and secret police organization during that time.The State Security Agency of the Republic of Belarus currently uses the...
in Vilnius
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
and memorial at the Tuskulėnai Manor
Tuskulenai Manor
Tuskulėnai Manor is a neoclassical manor in Žirmūnai elderate of Vilnius, Lithuania.-Structures:The Tuskulėnai Manor is the oldest architectural monument in Žirmūnai. The present manor was built in 1825, following a design by Karol Podczaszyński in the neoclassical style, by the order of the...
. One of its long-term research projects is a database and multi-volume publication of names and biographies of the victims of the Soviet and Nazi persecutions. The centre's director is nominated by the Prime Minister of Lithuania
Prime Minister of Lithuania
The Prime Minister of Lithuania is the head of the executive arm of Lithuania's government, and is chosen by the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas. The modern office of Prime Minister was established in 1990, although the official title was "Chairperson of the Council of Ministers" until 25...
and confirmed by the Seimas
Seimas
The Seimas is the unicameral Lithuanian parliament. It has 141 members that are elected for a four-year term. About half of the members of this legislative body are elected in individual constituencies , and the other half are elected by nationwide vote according to proportional representation...
(Lithuanian parliament).
In 1998, Lithuania passed a law restricting employment in the public sector for former employees of the KGB
KGB
The KGB was the commonly used acronym for the . It was the national security agency of the Soviet Union from 1954 until 1991, and was the premier internal security, intelligence, and secret police organization during that time.The State Security Agency of the Republic of Belarus currently uses the...
, the MGB, and other Soviet security institutions. The centre and the State Security Department had the authority to determine whether a person was an employee of the KGB. In 2001–2001, the centre handled some 22,000 applications for compensation from the Foundation "Remembrance, Responsibility and Future"
Foundation "Remembrance, Responsibility and Future"
The Foundation "Remembrance, Responsibility and Future" , is a German Federal organisation with the purpose of making financial compensation available "to former forced laborers and to those affected by other injustices from the National Socialist period"...
. In 1999–2002, the centre was involved in legal proceedings regarding Nachman Dushanski
Nachman Dushanski
Nachman Dushanski was an officer of Soviet security agencies in the Lithuanian SSR for over thirty years. He was heavily involved in suppression of the Lithuanian partisans, who fought against Soviet occupation of Lithuania...
, a suspected war criminal against the Lithuanians and an Israeli citizen. In 2002, commemorating the 30th anniversary of Romas Kalanta
Romas Kalanta
Romas Kalanta was a Lithuanian high school student known for his public self-immolation protesting Soviet regime in Lithuania. Kalanta's death provoked the largest post-war riots in Lithuania and inspired similar self-immolations...
self-immolation
Self-immolation
Self-immolation refers to setting oneself on fire, often as a form of protest or for the purposes of martyrdom or suicide. It has centuries-long traditions in some cultures, while in modern times it has become a type of radical political protest...
, Seimas
Seimas
The Seimas is the unicameral Lithuanian parliament. It has 141 members that are elected for a four-year term. About half of the members of this legislative body are elected in individual constituencies , and the other half are elected by nationwide vote according to proportional representation...
listed May 14 as the Civil Resistance Day based on recommendations by GRRCL.
In 2009 the Seimas confirmed Birutė Burauskaitė, a dissident of long standing, as the Center's director.
The centre is a member organisation of the Platform of European Memory and Conscience
Platform of European Memory and Conscience
The Platform of European Memory and Conscience is an educational project of the European Union bringing together government institutions and organisations from EU countries active in research, documentation, awareness raising and education about the crimes of totalitarian regimes...
.