The Government of the Republic of Croatia today joined in the commemoration of the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Totalitarian and Autocratic Regimes to pay tribute to the victims and their families as well as once again unequivocally condemn the crimes committed by all undemocratic regimes.
In keeping with a culture of remembrance, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, accompanied by government members Marija Pejčinović Burić, Damir Krstičević, Predrag Štromar i Davor Božinović, lit candles at the Mirogoj cemetery.
Plenković paid respects to the Croatian families, victims of the undemocratic regimes of the 20th century, adding: "Shedding light on the truth, condemning systematic violations of fundamental human rights and paying tribute to the victims and their families are prerequisites for a responsible way of dealing with the past, and the Croatian society has no alternative to that. An unequivocal distancing from any totalitarianism, commemoration of victims of totalitarian system, and education of young generations can help us to build a society free of ideological and societal divisions so as to be focused on key challenges facing Croatia in the 21st century."
August 23 was designated as the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism by the European Parliament in 2008/2009. In 2011, Croatia's parliament declared 23 August remembrance day for victims of totalitarian and autocratic regimes.
Totalitarian and autocratic regimes in Croatia, like in other European countries, have led to numerous tragic fatalities, violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as persecutions and assassinations of the politically unlike-minded. Due to the extent and severity of such injustices and crimes, the effects of undemocratic regimes are sadly still felt in Croatia. Therefore, in February this year, the government decided to establish a council for dealing with the past. The Council is entrusted with systematic and institutional facilitation of social dialogue, defining comprehensive recommendations for coming to terms with the past and legally regulating the use and display of symbols and insignia of undemocratic regimes.
On the occasion of the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Totalitarian Regimes, Culture Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek will visit Jasenovac, Croatian Veterans Minister Tomo Medved will visit Macelj, while a government’s delegation led by state secretary at the Justice Ministry Kristian Turkalj will attend a memorial conference for the victims of communism and Nazism in Tallinn, organized by Council of the EU presiding country Estonia.
Source: Government of the Republic of Croatia