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85-622: In 2017, the Institute merged with the Unitas Foundation, which broadened the Institute’s focus, in that more attention is paid to international outreach. The Estonian Institute of Historical Memory has been investigating international crimes and human rights abuses committed by totalitarian regimes in Estonia as well as the ideologies that have given rise to such regimes since 1998. Its predecessor

170-681: A "Western myth", while in Russian history textbooks , Soviet atrocities are either altered to portray the Soviets positively or omitted entirely. As a result, Western commentators have widely accused Russia of historical negationism . Vladimir Putin 's government has vehemently attacked Black Ribbon Day, and the Russian government delegation walked out when the OSCE adopted the Vilnius Declaration in support of

255-475: A 2019 resolution , the European Parliament described the date of 23 August as important in pushing back against a Russian "information war waged against democratic Europe." In 2022 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the remembrance day's importance in standing against " Russia's illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine ." Both the date of 23 August as a remembrance day and

340-527: A double anniversary of both events. As on other days of mourning, Lithuanian flags are displayed outside all public buildings decorated with black ribbons. In 2011, the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism was officially commemorated in Poland for the first time by the liberal-conservative Civic Platform government during Poland's EU presidency . It has since been observed annually by

425-674: A given. We have to defend them, every day of the year." In 2017 the Estonian EU Presidency hosted the International Conference on the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Communism and Nazism in Tallinn , where the remembrance day was observed by all the ministers of justice of the European Union. On the occasion of the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism in 2018, eight EU countries signed

510-530: A group of human rights activists and former political prisoners from Central and Eastern Europe during a conference organised by the Czech Government , and was formally designated by the European Parliament in 2008/2009 as "a Europe-wide Day of Remembrance for the victims of all authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, to be commemorated with dignity and impartiality"; it has been observed annually by

595-409: A joint statement on "the continued investigation of crimes committed by the communist regime via national law enforcement agencies and the intensification of transnational cooperation in this area." The governments of Poland, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia released a joint statement in 2019 that called upon "the governments of all European countries to provide both moral and material support to

680-406: A state ideology aimed at the violent seizure of power and the establishment of the so-called dictatorship of the proletariat, and also its legal political activity in democratic societies. The objects of research are the methods of communist propaganda in the era of underground subversive activity as well as in communist regimes, and the means for securing communist rule. An important field of research

765-704: Is a member institution of the Platform of European Memory and Conscience . Estonia has also joined the European Network of Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS) as an observer member. The Estonian Institute of Historical Memory is Estonia’s partnership coordinator with the ENRS. The Institute also cooperates closely with the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia , Genocide and Resistance Research Centre of Lithuania , Federal Foundation for

850-559: Is an international day of remembrance for victims of totalitarianism regimes, specifically Stalinist , communist , Nazi and fascist regimes. Formally recognised by the European Union , the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and some other countries, it is observed on 23 August. It symbolises the rejection of " extremism , intolerance and oppression " according to

935-475: Is an important source of information for researchers and the families of the repressed. The Institute updates the Victims of Communism Memorial Database regularly in accordance with research results and in cooperation with the victims’ families. On 23 August, the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism, also known as Black Ribbon Day , additional memorial plaques are annually unveiled that bear

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1020-637: Is our duty to teach the younger generations the truth of our recent past so that it will never be repeated again." Canadian refugee communities were instrumental in establishing Black Ribbon Day in Canada in 1986 and became the inspiration for the Baltic Way during the Revolutions of 1989 . In 2009, the House of Commons of Canada unanimously adopted 23 August as Black Ribbon Day, the national day of remembrance in Canada of

1105-632: Is returning "war, persecution, and illegal occupation" to Europe with his invasion of Ukraine. The remembrance day has been officially observed by the institutions of the European Union since 2009, especially by the European Parliament , the European Commission and the Council of the European Union . In some countries, the remembrance day has been formally adopted by local law (sometimes with slightly different names), whereas in other countries, commemoration has taken place based on its proclamation by

1190-618: Is the influence of communist ideology and the legacy of the rule of communist regimes in democratic societies in the 21st century. The Institute holds scholarship competitions and supports scholars (social scientists, primarily historians, political scientists and lawyers) in corresponding fields of research. The Institute’s researchers participate in international conferences as well as in international research projects. The Institute also publishes its academic research and proceedings in English. The Institute has curated various exhibitions, most notably

1275-585: The 2020 Belarusian protests . Alexander Lukashenko 's Belarusian government said they sent military helicopters to "stop" balloons sent by Freedom Way protesters. The Council of the European Union stated on Black Ribbon Day in 2020 that "we commemorate those who fell victim to totalitarian regimes and remember the EU values our society is built on: human dignity, freedom and fundamental rights". EU Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová and Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders stated on

1360-612: The Baltic Way in 1989, a historical event during the revolutions of 1989 . Two million people joined their hands to form a human chain, to protest against the continued Soviet occupation. The European Public Hearing on Crimes Committed by Totalitarian Regimes was organised by the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission in April 2008. It aimed at improving knowledge and public awareness about totalitarian crimes. The date of 23 August

1445-569: The Bundestag to research and document the communist dictatorship in East Germany . In 2020 the remembrance day was officially commemorated by the German federal government and the German presidency of the European Union. The remembrance day is also observed by various state governments, such as the state government of Brandenburg and local government authorities. It is also observed by, for example,

1530-592: The CDU -affiliated Konrad Adenauer Foundation or the German chapter of the civil rights organisation Memorial . The remembrance day is also commemorated by the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity , a Warsaw-based international organisation established by Germany, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia and since also joined by Romania, that documents the totalitarian regimes in Europe and commemorates their victims and resistance to totalitarian regimes. In 2011,

1615-702: The Czech Senate from 2 to 3 June 2008, hosted by the Senate Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Human Rights and Petitions, under the auspices of Alexandr Vondra , Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic for European Affairs. On 23 September 2008, 409 members of the European Parliament signed a declaration on the proclamation of 23 August as European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism. The declaration pointed out: "The mass deportations, murders, kleptocracies and enslavements committed in

1700-863: The History Commission or Max Jakobson Commission ) was the commission established by President of Estonia Lennart Meri in October 1998 to investigate crimes against humanity committed in Estonia or against its citizens during the Soviet and German occupation , such as Soviet deportations from Estonia and the Holocaust in Estonia . It held its first session in Tallinn in January 1999. To promote independent inquiry and avoid conflict of interest , there were no Estonian citizens among its members. Finnish diplomat Max Jakobson

1785-591: The Memorial Research and Information Centre (St. Petersburg). The conference was dedicated to the issues of locating, researching, memorialising and legally establishing mass burial sites of victims of state terror in Eastern European and former communist countries. On 23 August 2018, the European Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Totalitarian Regimes, an international conference Utopia unachieved despite millions victimised? Communist crimes and European memory

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1870-677: The Soviet Occupation Day on 25 February and declared 23 August the Day of Memory of Victims of Totalitarian Regimes. The leader of the social-liberal Liberal Party  in Norway, Trine Skei Grande , has called for the official commemoration of the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism in Norway, based on its adoption by the European Parliament and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Black Ribbon Day

1955-636: The Soviet Union that gained prominence in the years leading up to the Revolutions of 1989 and that inspired the 1989 Baltic Way , a major demonstration where two million people joined their hands to call for an end to the Soviet occupation . Canadian and other Western communities of refugees from the Soviet Union were instrumental in establishing the remembrance day in 1986. It was proposed as an official European remembrance day by Václav Havel , Joachim Gauck and

2040-580: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948 as the legal basis for its historical research. The Institute therefore also collects data about such human rights violations committed during the Soviet occupation that are not crimes against humanity by legal definition. In 2017, the Institute merged with the Unitas Foundation into a new organization that combines academic research concerning inhumane regimes (previously

2125-673: The institutions of the European Union since 2009. The European Parliament's 2009 resolution on European conscience and totalitarianism , co-sponsored by the European People's Party , the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe , The Greens–European Free Alliance , and the Union for Europe of the Nations , called for its implementation in all of Europe. The establishment of 23 August as an international remembrance day for victims of totalitarianism

2210-786: The secret protocol of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact . During Putinism , Russia has engaged in disinformation campaigns that included the denial or downplaying of Soviet crimes such as The Holodomor , deportations, the Gulag concentration camp system, massacres or war rape , attempts to deny or justify the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact and Soviet wars of aggression against Poland, the Baltic states, Finland and other countries, and attempts to promote "a Soviet-era approach to World War II". State-controlled Russian media refer to Soviet crimes as

2295-423: The "Warsaw Declaration is a unanimous agreement of all EU member states that we have to do everything we can to prevent any totalitarian regime from reviving in all the countries making up one big European family." EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding stated on this occasion: Totalitarian regimes are the denial of human dignity and the violation of all fundamental rights of our societies built upon democracy and

2380-834: The 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court . The establishment of the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory was initiated by the Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves in 2008. The Institute was established by Leon Glikman, Rein Kilk, Jaan Manitski , Tiit Sepp, Hannes Tamjärv and Indrek Teder . The Estonian Institute of Historical Memory surpasses the framework of the Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity in that it selected

2465-523: The Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism. In 2020 the official commemoration took place at the new Memorial to the Victims of Communism. In 2019 the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism was observed by the Government of Finland on the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. The former President of Germany , Joachim Gauck ,

2550-709: The Estonian Central Council in Canada, the later chairman of the Central and Eastern European Council of Canada, proposed the name Black Ribbon Day and the concept of using black ribbons as a form of protest in 1985. He gathered representatives of affected communities and formed the International Black Ribbon Day Committee. David Somerville's idea of using the anniversary of the signing of the Molotov Ribbentrop Pact as Black Ribbon Day

2635-509: The Europe-wide remembrance day in 2020 that the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact led "to the violation of the fundamental rights of millions of Europeans and it claimed the lives of millions more" and that "freedom from totalitarianism and authoritarianism is [...] a hard-won way of life that we should cherish every day." The Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau stated in 2020 that "we join people around

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2720-510: The European Commission to make "the approval, denial or belittling of communist crimes " an EU-wide criminal offence. "Alongside the prosecution and punishment of criminals, the denial of every international crime should be treated according to the same standards, to prevent favourable conditions for the rehabilitation and rebirth of totalitarian ideologies," the foreign ministers wrote. Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg compared

2805-564: The European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism was commemorated by the government of Hungary for the first time. A spokesman for the Fidesz party (itself a national-conservative and right-wing populist party) government said that "youth growing up in Western Europe should learn what it means to be a victim of Communism," adding that there is "little difference" between "national and international Socialism [...] both involve

2890-430: The European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism, was passed by a vote of 533–44 with 33 abstentions. On 3 July 2009, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) adopted the Vilnius Declaration , which supported 23 August as the international remembrance day for Victims of totalitarianism and urged its member states to increase awareness of totalitarian crimes. The resolution, which

2975-668: The European Union. The purpose of the Day of Remembrance is to preserve the memory of the victims of mass deportations and exterminations, while promoting democratic values to reinforce peace and stability in Europe. It is one of the two official remembrance days or observances of the European Union , alongside Europe Day . Under the name Black Ribbon Day it is an official remembrance day of Canada . The European Union has used both names alongside each other. The remembrance day has its origins in Cold War -era protests in Western countries against

3060-533: The Government of Poland as an important official remembrance day of Poland. In Romania, 23 August is celebrated with some duality. Before the Romanian Revolution , it marked Liberation from Fascist Occupation Day , which is observed to commemorate the Soviet occupation of Romania , styled as "Liberation" by the communists . In 2011, the European Day of Remembrance for the Victims of All Totalitarian Regimes

3145-423: The Institute and lists more than 100,000 names. The database includes information on persons who perished due to communist terror and persons who were released from imprisonment or banishment, along with data on those victims whose fate is not known. The database provides basic information on persons (name, year of birth and death), as well as data on his/her family members that were subject to repression. The database

3230-457: The International Black Ribbon Day Committee, which opened up offices in Toronto. Markus Hess was elected president and David Somerville was elected vice president of the International Black Ribbon Day Committee. Under their leadership, the movement expanded annually and by 1991, demonstrations were held in 56 cities. In 1987, Black Ribbon Day protests spread to the Baltic countries and culminated in

3315-519: The Polish Presidency of the European Union organised a conference on the occasion of the European Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Totalitarian Regimes. The EU presidency cited the Justice and Home Affairs Council conclusions of 10 June and the EU's Stockholm Programme , which emphasises that "remembrance of shared history is necessary to understand contemporary Europe." European officials adopted

3400-482: The Russian state-controlled propaganda that distorts history, spreads conspiracy and punishes those who oppose it. We will continue with determination our work to counter disinformation. And we will ensure that those who stood against totalitarianism will not be forgotten." On August 22nd 2023, in commemoration of Black Ribbon Day, European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová and European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders said Russian President Vladimir Putin

3485-506: The Soviet Union under Stalin would pave the way for the most brutal war to this day, leading to many years of fear, horror and pain for the victims of these regimes," stating that the Europe-wide Day of Remembrance for the victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes is a reminder that we must not take "dignity, freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights" for granted, and that "peace, democracy and fundamental rights are not

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3570-560: The Study of Communist Dictatorship in East Germany and the Memorial Research and Information Centre (St. Petersburg) as well as several other organizations and public figures. Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity The Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity ( Estonian : Inimsusevastaste Kuritegude Uurimise Eesti Rahvusvaheline Komisjon ; also known as

3655-777: The Union. On 19 November 2009, under a proposal of the centre-right Blue Coalition , the Bulgarian Parliament officially declared 23 August the Day of Commemoration of the Victims of the Crimes Committed by Communist and other Totalitarian Regimes and the remembrance day was officially observed for the first time in 2010. In 2011, the government of Croatia proposed that Croatia adopt the European Day of Remembrance of Victims of All Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes, to be commemorated on 23 August. The government sent its recommendation for urgent parliamentary procedure, stating that

3740-597: The Victims of Communism Memorial Database, and the Nazism victims’ database. The research concerning the victims is ongoing and the databases are constantly updated. As a consequence of communist terror, Estonia lost approximately 20% of its one million population, of whom more than 75,000 were murdered, imprisoned or deported. The majority of victims died far from home and their remains lie in unmarked graves in unknown locations. The Victims of Communism Memorial in Maarjamäe , built on

3825-414: The Warsaw Declaration for the European Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Totalitarian Regimes. The Warsaw Declaration vows that the suffering of victims of totalitarian regimes "will not sink into oblivion." The declaration states that "crimes of totalitarian regimes in Europe should be acknowledged and condemned, regardless of their type and ideology." Justice Minister Krzysztof Kwiatkowski said that

3910-403: The classic study on totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt , which developed "the scientific basis criteria to describe totalitarianism ", concluding that "both totalitarian systems (Stalinism and Nazism) are comparable and terrible", Pöttering said. Joseph Daul , chairman of the European People's Party group , stated: 2009 is a deeply symbolic year, since we celebrate both the 60th anniversary of

3995-429: The context of the acts of aggression by Stalinism and Nazism fall into the category of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Under international law, statutory limitations do not apply to war crimes and crimes against humanity." On 2 April 2009, a resolution of the European Parliament on European conscience and totalitarianism , calling, among other things, on its member states and other European countries to implement

4080-427: The creation of NATO and the beginnings of the cold war, and the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, which ended it. This is why we have proposed to launch a Europe-wide day of remembrance which will help Europe reconcile its totalitarian legacy, both from the Nazis and the Communists. In December 2010, the foreign ministers of six EU member states affected by communist occupation and dictatorship called upon

4165-428: The crimes committed by totalitarian regimes, of promoting a shared memory of these crimes across the Union and underlining the significant role that this can play in preventing the rehabilitation or rebirth of totalitarian ideologies," and highlighted "the Europe-wide Day of Remembrance of the victims of the totalitarian regimes (23 August)," inviting "Members States to consider how to commemorate it." On 23 August 2011,

4250-411: The denial of communist crimes to the denial of Nazi crimes and said, "there is a fundamental concern here that totalitarian systems be measured by the same standard." On 10 June 2011, the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council , that is, the justice and home affairs ministers of all EU Member States, adopted conclusions stating, among other things, that it reaffirmed "the importance of raising awareness of

4335-453: The eastern part of the building, where authentic prison cells, an execution chamber, corridors, prisoners’ walkways etc have preserved. On 23 August 2018, Estonia's Victims of Communism 1940–1991 Memorial was inaugurated in Tallinn by Estonian president Kersti Kaljulaid. The memorial's construction was financed by the state and the memorial itself is being managed by the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory The Institute manages and develops

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4420-399: The end of the pro-Axis government of Antonescu. On 8 August 2012, the Slovenian government adopted a resolution proclaiming 23 August European Day of Remembrance for the Victims of All Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes. The International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism has been observed in Sweden since 2008, with participation from government members. Sweden was

4505-429: The exhibition area Communism is Prison in Patarei Prison in Tallinn , which is the first stage of the development of the future International Museum for the Victims of Communism. The Institute has also compiled many temporary exhibitions, most recently Communism and Terror and The “Liberator” Arrived , both of which are also available online. The Institute manages and develops several educational platforms, such as

4590-464: The facts and research of communist ideology and regimes from a global perspective. The aim of the portal is to raise awareness about the crimes against humanity committed by communist regimes worldwide. The Estonian Institute of Historical Memory cooperates internationally with independent historians and researchers whose subject area is communist regimes and who endeavour to define how and to what extent human rights were globally violated. The Institute

4675-576: The first country to observe the remembrance day officially. Albania officially observed the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism in 2019; President Ilir Meta noted that Stalinism and Nazism were "two devastating ideologies of the last century that caused thousands of innocent victims in our country. For 45 years, Albania became the North Korea of Europe. Thousands of Albanians were killed, imprisoned, and deported. Freedom, human rights, democracy and pluralism were values they believed in and for which they sacrificed their lives. It

4760-493: The holding of public demonstrations glorifying the Nazi or Stalinist past." After the European Parliament had proclaimed the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism, the president of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering , highlighted the insufficient attention given to Soviet totalitarianism and Soviet war crimes , and thanked the governments of Lithuania , Latvia and Estonia for their efforts to better inform Western Europe. Pöttering brought up

4845-446: The importance of the European Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Stalinism and Nazism. In her statement on the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism in 2022, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that "the painful memory of the past is not just a distant recollection, but has found an echo in Russia's illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine. Today more than ever, we stand united against

4930-415: The name "Black Ribbon Day" originated in protests held in western countries against the Soviet Union in the 1980s, which gained prominence in the years leading up to the Revolutions of 1989 . Canadian and other Western communities of refugees from the Soviet Union were instrumental in establishing Black Ribbon Day as "a day of protest against the Soviet Union" during the Cold War in 1986. Markus Hess of

5015-430: The names of those victims of communism whose fate has been uncovered since the memorial's opening in 2018. The true figures and details of all those from Estonia who disappeared during the mass deportations of the 1940s and in other repressions during the Soviet occupation of Estonia may never be fully known. The Institute’s research concerns the emergence and spread of communist ideology and its different manifestations as

5100-437: The new memorial day is in accordance with the European practice that marks 23 August as the day of remembrance of victims of Stalinism and Nazism. On 23 August 2011, Croatia marked the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism for the first time. Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said: "We especially pay tribute to the victims of Nazism and the ustasha regime in Croatia. However, we are now also trying to pave

5185-416: The occasion of Estonia’s centennial in 2018, displays the known names of more than 22,000 Estonian people who lost their lives under the communist regime. The lists of victims were a result of years of research conducted by the Memento  [ et ] Society and the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory. An integral part of the memorial is an electronic database, which is managed and administered by

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5270-421: The ongoing historical investigation of the totalitarian regimes. By acting in a concerted manner, we can counter more effectively disinformation campaigns and attempts to manipulate historical facts. We must stand together against totalitarianism." David Sassoli , the president of the European Parliament, noted on 23 August 2019 that "on this remembrance day our minds turn to the victims of Nazism and Stalinism as

5355-444: The past is never really dead and we do not forget the dark night of totalitarianism. In this memory we find the strength and value of the peace and prosperity our Union has brought." On Black Ribbon Day in 2020, around 50,000 people joined hands in a human chain called the Freedom Way that stretched from Cathedral Square in Vilnius to Medininkai at the Belarus border to support democracy in Belarus  and express solidarity with

5440-413: The remembrance day. In 2019 the European Parliament adopted its resolution titled " Importance of European remembrance for the future of Europe ", that accused "the current Russian leadership [of distorting] historical facts and [whitewashing] crimes committed by the Soviet totalitarian regime", which the resolution described as an "information war waged against democratic Europe;" the resolution highlighted

5525-434: The respect of the rule of law. We must offer the victims of those crimes, and their family members, sympathy, understanding and recognition of their suffering. Every victim of any totalitarian regime has the same human dignity and deserves justice, remembrance and recognition by all of us. On 23 August 2014, EU justice commissioner Martine Reicherts emphasised that the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact "of Nazi Germany under Hitler and

5610-471: The responsibility of the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory) with public awareness activities (previously the responsibility of the Unitas Foundation). The new organization continues with the name Estonian Institute of Historical Memory . The Estonian Institute of Historical Memory leads a project which aims to establish an International Museum for the Victims of Communism and an accompanying international research centre in Patarei Prison by 2025. Patarei

5695-407: The same destruction, and a basic characteristic for both is inhumanity." On 17 July 2009, the Parliament of Latvia adopted 23 August as the Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism, under a proposal of the Civic Union . Lithuania in 2009 officially renamed "Black Ribbon Day" (23 August) to "European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism and Day of the Baltic Way",

5780-399: The victims of Stalinism and Nazism. The resolution was introduced by Liberal MP Bob Rae and co-sponsored by Borys Wrzesnewskyj . The Central and Eastern European Council of Canada, representing 4 million Canadians, has organised annual Black Ribbon Day commemorations in cities across Canada since 2010. On 21 July 2010, in a unanimous vote, the Parliament of Georgia instituted

5865-423: The victims of crimes against humanity and the resistance against inhumane regimes on the occasion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day , March deportation , June deportation , the Black Ribbon Day and the Resistance Fighting Day . The Institute hosts at least one international scholarly conference a year. In 2019, the Institute hosted the conference Necropolis of Communist Terror in cooperation with

5950-427: The way for investigations into communist crimes and to cease treating that issue as a taboo. We must remember all victims equally." The European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism is officially commemorated by the government of the Czech Republic, which also initiated its establishment. On 18 June 2009, the Parliament of Estonia amended the law on holidays and memorials, and adopted 23 August as

6035-477: The website on Holocaust in Occupied Estonia 1941–1944, Klooga concentration camp and Holocaust Memorial and Bridging the Baltic history education portal. The Institute offers educational and training programmes for teachers, youth workers, pupils, and university students. It also publishes and distributes various educational materials that inform the general public about the history of communist regimes. The Institute organizes annual commemorative events dedicated to

6120-414: The world to pay tribute to the victims of Communism and Nazism in Europe. We express our solidarity with the survivors and their descendants, and with all those who face violence, loss of dignity, and repression from authoritarian and totalitarian regimes." From the onset, Black Ribbon Day was attacked by the Soviet government in the 1980s. The Soviet Union continued to deny the events of 23 August 1939 and

6205-402: The world, focusing on the memories of people who were repressed by the Soviet or Nazi regimes, people who escaped Estonia during the occupations of said regimes or arrived in Estonia as a result of the occupations. The collected memories are used for developing educational materials, research, and raising public awareness in Estonia and elsewhere. CommunistCrimes.org is a database that focuses on

6290-600: Was accepted by the committee in February 1986. The committee launched its campaign for the first Black Ribbon Day by organising committees in 21 cities worldwide. Television commercials describing the Molotov Ribbentrop Pact and its secret protocols and aftermath were broadcast nationally in Canada. On 23 August 1986, Black Ribbon Day demonstrations were held in 21 western cities, including New York City , Ottawa , London , Stockholm , Seattle , Los Angeles , Perth, Australia and Washington DC . The demonstrations were coordinated by

6375-528: Was adopted as an official day of remembrance for victims of totalitarianism by international bodies and various countries after it was proposed by the 2008 Prague Declaration , initiated by the Czech government and signed by (among others) Václav Havel , Joachim Gauck , Vytautas Landsbergis , Emanuelis Zingeris , and Łukasz Kamiński on 3 June 2008. The declaration concluded the conference European Conscience and Communism. This international conference took place at

6460-418: Was adopted nearly unanimously, stated that Europe had "experienced two major totalitarian regimes, Nazi and Stalinist, which brought about genocide, violations of human rights and freedoms, war crimes and crimes against humanity," urged all OSCE members to take a "united stand against all totalitarian rule from whatever ideological background" and condemned "the glorification of the totalitarian regimes, including

6545-508: Was also supported by the 2009 Vilnius Declaration of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly . 23 August was chosen to coincide with the date of the signing of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact , a 1939 non-aggression pact between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany which contained a protocol dividing Romania , Poland , Lithuania , Latvia , Estonia , and Finland into designated Soviet and German spheres of influence . The treaty

6630-516: Was appointed chairman of the commission. Research of the Commission has been relied on by the European Court of Human Rights , for example in its decision to not grant certiorari to review a complaint by August Kolk and Pyotr Kislyy, who had been convicted of crimes against humanity due to their roles in the Soviet deportations from Estonia . The Commission fulfilled its purpose by 2007 and

6715-449: Was described by the European Parliament's president Jerzy Buzek in 2010 as "the collusion of the two worst forms of totalitarianism in the history of humanity." The remembrance day is part of a common European response to Russian disinformation that seeks to deny Soviet war crimes and other atrocities and justify Soviet invasions and occupations. Vladimir Putin 's Russian government has attacked it for its condemnation of Stalinism. In

6800-520: Was held. The conference addressed the topic of crimes committed by communist regimes and their consequences and the possibility of a common European culture of remembrance. Collect Our Story (Estonian: Kogu Me Lugu , also translates as We're Collecting The Story and Our Entire Story) is an oral history portal and video repository launched in 2013. The website is managed and developed by the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory. The portal collects, preserves and shares family stories of Estonians from around

6885-421: Was officially commemorated for the first time after 21 years of 23 August not having been celebrated as an official holiday since the Romanian Revolution , as that day marked both Romania's loss of most of the region that is now Moldova and parts of Ukraine, with Romanian-speaking communities, as a result of the provisions of the aforementioned Pact ( see Soviet occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina ) and

6970-603: Was one of the statesmen, alongside Václav Havel , who proposed the establishment of the remembrance day. The European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism has been observed by various German government bodies, including the federal government. One of the first government bodies to observe the day was the Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship , a federal government entity created by

7055-621: Was succeeded by the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory . This Estonia -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Black Ribbon Day The Black Ribbon Day , officially known in the European Union as the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism and also referred to as the Europe-wide Day of Remembrance for the victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes ,

7140-533: Was the Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity (Inimsusvastaste kuritegude Uurimise Eesti Rahvusvaheline Komisjon), founded by President Lennart Meri in 1998. The Commission investigated the crimes against humanity committed in Estonia during the German and Soviet occupations based on the definitions of genocide , crimes against humanity and war crimes in

7225-444: Was used by both Soviet and Nazi regimes throughout the 20th century and is one of the main symbols of Soviet political terror for Estonians. The museum will introduce crimes committed by both the Soviet and Nazi regimes, with the main focus on the machinery, ideology and crimes of communist regimes, moving from a local overview, to the events in Europe, to a global scale. The museum is planned to an approximately 5,000 square meter area in

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