PM: Condemning mass-scale human rights violations minimum of democratic identity

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Thursday lit candles at Zagreb's Mirogoj cemetery on the occasion of the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism, saying that unambiguous condemnation of mass-scale violations of human rights, their research and dignified commemoration of places of suffering constituted the minimum of Croatia's identity as a democracy.

"Coming to terms appropriately with the past, including respect and satisfaction for the victims and their families, refusal of any totalitarianism and adequate education of young people about the crimes of undemocratic systems, is a precondition for dealing concentradely with the challenges of the present and the future," said Plenkovic, who visited Mirogoj on the occasion of the European day of remembrance for the victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes in the company of Foreign Minister Marija Pejcinovic Buric, Construction Minister and Deputy PM Predrag Stromar and War Veterans Minister Tomo Medved.

The European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism, known as the Black Ribbon Day in some countries, was designated by the European Parliament in 2008 and was confirmed by a European Parliament resolution on European conscience and totalitarianism in 2009.

In line with that, in 2011 the Croatian parliament declared August 23 a memorial day for the victims of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes in Croatia. Those regimes, in Croatia and other European countries, led to numerous cases of tragic suffering, violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the persecution and liquidation of political opponents. Due to the gravity and scope of such injustices and crimes of undemocratic regimes, their consequences are felt to this day.

On the occasion of the European remembrance day, Justice Minister Damir Bosnjakovic is taking part in a memorial conference for the victims of totalitarian systems in Tallinn, Estonia, while delegations of the government and parliament will lay wreaths at Macelj and on the Goli Otok island.

Text: Hina

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