President says EU champion of democracy as victims of totalitarian regimes remembered

Ljubljana – President Borut Pahor underlined the role of the EU as the champion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law as he addressed a memorial ceremony to mark the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of all Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes on Tuesday. A minute of silence was held at the National Assembly.

By never stopping the quest for truth, to do justice, to remember, and to promote reconciliation, the EU and Slovenia are living with lessons from the past so as to steer the future toward European democratic values, Pahor said in his address.

He noted that the 2009 EU resolution on European conscience and totalitarianism was passed only a few weeks after the Huda Jama mass grave of post-WWII victims was uncovered in Slovenia.

“My subjective feeling is that that was the first time, after the democratic changes and the 1990 elections, that a strong national consensus was formed about the country having to take action at the actual and symbolic levels.”

By remembering the victims of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, Slovenia is affirming its dedication to a peaceful and successful Europe built on the respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights, said the president.

Moreover, the EU is responsible for advocating and protecting democracy, human rights and the rule of law not only within the Union but also outside it, Pahor said.

He thanked the high representatives of the five biggest religious communities in the country for joining him today, Catholic Bishop Anton Jamnik, Evangelical Bishop Leon Novak, Mufti Nevzet Porić, Bishop Sava of Marca, Vicar of the Serbian Patriarch, and Rabbi Ariel Haddad.

“I ask the Slovenian and European public to accept this as a sign of their sincere effort for understanding and cooperation to the benefit of a shared and tolerant community,” Pahor said, referring to representatives of religious communities.

“We are hopeful that through our responsible, tolerant and respectful acts we will build a democratic community, Slovenian and European, and do everything in our power for lasting peace and lively democracy, for the good of us and our children.”

Earlier in the day, a minute of silence was held in the National Assembly, with Speaker Urška Klakočar Zupančič saying the war in Ukraine was a reminder that the humanity had not learnt from the past.

Opposition New Slovenia (NSi) president Matej Tonin said in a statement that Slovenian politics was obligated to make sure that totalitarian regime victims in Slovenia get dignified burials. He said the day was also a way to commemorate the victims of the war in Ukraine.

Presidential election candidate and an MP for the opposition Democrats (SDS) Anže Logar noted that Slovenia had been subjected to three totalitarian regimes and urged that the experience should bring Slovenians together as a nation working together for freedom without totalitarianisms and authoritarianisms.

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