crimes committed by totalitarian regimes - Ministrstvo za pravosodje

Crimes committed by totalitarian regimes
/.../ apply the law, even previous law, only in a manner which is inherent in the democratic political
order”. 6 Judge Levits also pointed out that “at least since the time of the Nuremberg Tribunal, that
conception of the democratic order has been well understood in the world and it is therefore foreseeable
for everybody”. 7
European politicians, the Commission and others may learn from these judgments.
If the Commission and Council, the Parliament and Member States apply the same principle,
Stalin’s crimes have to be included in the Framework decision.
3. I invite you to view the documentary film The Soviet Story, which premiered at the European
Parliament the day after the European Hearing on “Crimes Committed by Totalitarian Regimes”. In
the film, some of Europe’s and Russia’s most eminent historians and social commentators, as well as
Members of the European Parliament, express their views about Soviet totalitarian crimes and of the
necessity that these crimes are recognised as such. The film assists in showing the obvious similarities
between the Soviet and Nazi crimes, both in the performance and execution of the deeds, and also in
their scale.
The Danish historian, professor Bent Jensen, writes about the “loss of memory” in the West in the
20 th century in his book about the Gulag: “Although the Western world knew about these crimes at the
time when they were committed, their reaction was negligible. In fact – many helped to conceal these
facts. Even today the genocide committed by the Communists has remained in the shadow of the Nazi
genocide, notwithstanding the scary and shocking similarities of both regimes.” 8
Europe is still partly a hostage to that version of history, which was developed by the Soviet
regime. How long will that last?
Europe has a moral obligation to come to terms with this and to develop an appropriate policy. I
believe that we have a duty to build a platform from which a reappraisal of European history can be
promoted, ultimately resulting in EU documents which reflect truth and justice.
I sincerely hope that the Slovenian Presidency, the European Commission, the Member States and
the Council will look attentively at these proposals, which are very relevant vis-a-vis truth, justice and
reconciliation between people and in the interests of Europe’s future.
6
European Court of Human Rights, Judgements in the cases of Streletz, Keslr and Krentz v. Germany and K.-H. W. v. Germany, Concuring
opinion of Judge Levits, 22. 03. 2001.
7
European Court of Human Rights, Judgements in the cases of Streletz, Keslr and Krentz v. Germany and K.-H. W. v. Germany, Concuring
opinion of Judge Levits, 22. 03. 2001.
8
Bents Jensens, Lielais Gulags, Apgāds Atēna, vāka citāts, 2007.
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