European funds Related EU Grant Loans Programme(s):  Grants to support organisations working in the field of active European citizenship and to the promotion civic participation

In commemoration of these historic crimes victims, European Parliament President adopted a declaration on the proclamation of 23 August as European Day of Remembrance.

The written declaration, put forward by Marianne MIKKO (PES, EE), Christopher BEAZLEY (EPP-ED, UK), Inese VAIDERE (UEN, LV), Zita GURMAI (PES, HU) and Alexander ALVARO (ALDE, DE), proposed that 23 August be proclaimed European Day of Remembrance for Victims of the Crimes of Stalinism and Nazism, in order to preserve the memory of the victims of mass deportations and exterminations while, at the same time, rooting democracy more firmly and reinforcing peace and stability in our continent.

The written declaration points out that the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 23 August 1939 between the Soviet Union and Germany divided Europe into two spheres of interest by means of secret additional protocols.

The mass deportations, murders and enslavements committed in 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,

Finally MEPs say that the influence and significance of the Soviet order and occupation on/for citizens of the post-Communist States are little known in Europe.