United Nations, December 21 (RHC)-- The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution against the glorification of Nazism, initiated by the Russian Federation. 130 countries voted for the passing of the resolution with three countries voting against it -- the United States, Canada and Palau. A total of 54 countries abstained.

The resolution expressed serious concern over the rise of extremist movements and parties advocating racism, ethnocentrism and xenophobia, and promoting the ideology of fascism. It condemns the glorification of the Nazi movement and former members of the Waffen SS, including the opening of monuments and public demonstrations in praise of the Nazi past, the Nazi movement and neo-Nazism.

The UN resolution notes that reactionary nationalists sentiments are increasing in some parts of the world. Cases of vandalism against monuments to fighters against Nazism are becoming more frequent. Moreover, the authorities of three former Soviet states – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – quite often officially back marches of those who were collaborators of German Nazis during World War II and their younger supporters.

U.S. diplomatic representatives argue that banning expressions of nationalistic sentiments would supposedly infringe on the 'freedom of speech.' But UN delegates voting in favor of the resolution against glorifying Nazism note that the concept of 'freedom of speech' should not include messages of fascist and racist hate and violence.

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