Europe cannot be united without the unanimous condemnation of Communism

On the occasion of the 80^th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, Central and Eastern European MEPs of EPP launched a plenary debate on the condemnation of the crimes of Communism. Finally, the debate was launched under the name “The importance of European remembrance for the future of Europe”, where Fidesz MEP Kinga Gál pointed out: “To date, disproportionally little has been said about the atrocities of Communism, although Europe cannot be united until there is a consensus on condemnation of Communism.”

August 23, the day of the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact that led to the outbreak of World War II, in 2011 was designated as the European Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Communist and National Socialist Dictatorships. Hungary was among the firsts to join the initiative, as both Hungarians and Central and Eastern Europeans remember well the shameful atrocities committed by both totalitarian regimes of the 20^th century. “We’ve found however, that there is disproportionally little talk about the crimes caused by Communism in Europe. Yet the Communists ruined the lives of the whole generation of our grandparents. Still, something could not have been taken away from them: endurance, and the ever-surviving faith in the future. This is that strengthens the nations of Central and Eastern Europe. In order to understand the today’s reality of post-Communist nations, this period of Central and Eastern Europe’s history has to be known well, and the memory of it should be kept alive” Kinga Gál said.

The Fidesz MEP said that it was disappointing that the condemnation of Communism is still a very divisive topic in the European Parliament. And even if a majority is formed to make a decision in this topic, some will try to shift the focus from the real problem. “For the unity of Europe to be truly realized, the reality of the atrocities of Communism must be recognized and condemned on the same level as the atrocities of Nazism. It is shocking to me that empathy is still missing from the luckier half of Europe, where the tyranny of Communism did not need to be suffered. The 80^th anniversary should be used to confront Europe with this past and do our utmost to ensure that it is not forgotten. Europe cannot be united until there is a consensus on the unanimous condemnation of communism” MEP Kinga Gál pointed out.