The United States and the European Union published a statement of condemnation of Belarus for the desecration of the Jewish cemetery in the city of Hrodno (formerly called Grodno). In late June 2003, as part of a project to enlarge the municipal soccer stadium, parts of the Jewish cemetery in the city were destroyed. A body known as the “Commission for the Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries in Europe” operating in Britain, mounted a public campaign protesting the desecration of the cemetery, after attempts to convince the city authorities to stop the project. An announcement published by the United States State Department said that the United States joined the European Union in “expressing its concern”over the desecration of a historic Jewish cemetery and joined the Union’s call to the Belarussain authorities to cease work at the site until agreement had been granted by representatives of the Jewish community.
