The 17th regular congress of the International Federation of Resistance Fighters (FIR) – Association of Anti-Fascists took place November 18 – 20, 2016 in Prague, Czech Republic. More than 50 delegates representing anti-fascist and resistance fighters organizations from about 20 European countries participated in this congress. The congress included also a special awarding ceremony of the Michel-Vanderborght-Award as well as the commemoration of victims of fascist terror in Lidice. The congress of FIR was attended also by the World Peace Council represented by Milan Krajca. In his greeting speech he stated among others:
„Our two organizations, World Peace Council and International Federation of the Resistance Fighters - Association of the Anti-fascists, struggle together for almost 70 years against fascism and war. Their roots were based in heroic anti-fascist struggle of the peoples of the world and in the victory over fascist barbarism in 1945, when the slogan - Never again fascism, never again war! - was raised. The lessons from the victory over fascism as well from the causes which have led to the war are present today in a period of growing imperialist aggressiveness, occupation and threats to the sovereignty of the peoples, in a period of deep global economic crisis of capitalism.
Today, seven decades after the defeat of fascism in World War II, serious threats hang over the peoples. In view of the current threats and dangers it is more important than ever to mobilize in favour of peace, respect for the sovereignty and independence of the states, the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. It is necessary to fight against war, to denounce the armed wing of imperialism – NATO, to oppose plans to establish a pernament army of the Europan Union, to struggle for general, simultaneous and controlled disarmament and for the end of the arms race, to organize a solidarity with people victims of aggression and interference, to demand policy of peace, solidarity and cooperation with all peoples of the world.
We have in our favour the fact that the defence of peace is in the interest of the peoples of the world, because it determines the welfare, progress, development, happiness and even the life of the planet. But we are also fully aware that wanting peace is not enough; we have to defend it and act for it. This is a reason, why there is still a absolute relevancy of words of Czechoslovak national hero, communist writer and antifascist fighter Julius Fučík: People, be vigilant!“