President Warns Against Abuse of History
President Danilo Türk warned against abusing historical wrongs for the purposes of concealing present-day human rights violations as he penned a message ahead of the 23 August day of remembrance for the victims of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes.
President: Slovenia needs a civil society and stronger awareness of the importance of independent institutions and responsible democratic practice
"Respect for the victims of war and totalitarian violence must be just that - memory of the dead and realization about the fragility of human life in the face of terrible death," he said in a message released on Saturday.
Past wrings must be rectified to the maximum possible extent; all dead have the right to a grave and all the living who had been unjustly wronged have the right to rectification of injustice and appropriate compensation, according to the president.
But, he warned, human rights "have to be respected here and now. Condemnation of past human rights violations is justified, but it may not serve to conceal present-day human rights violations."
Expanding on that, he added that efforts should be made to prevent "elements of authoritarian and even totalitarian practice from becoming native in our politics. We have to respond to all cases of systematic human rights violations and intolerance to those who are different with utmost sensitivity."
Turning to the government, Türk accused it of "attempting to control civil-society or independent institutions such as universities and cultural institutions," which should be "decisively rejected".
Slovenia needs a civil society and stronger awareness of the importance of independent institutions and responsible democratic practice. "This forms society's immune system and strengthening it is the best way to pay homage to the victims of 20th century totalitarian and authoritarian regimes," he said.
The victims of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes are commemorated in Europe on 23 August in line with a 2009 European Parliament resolution on European conscience and totalitarianism. Slovenia formally declared it a memorial day with a government decree two weeks ago.
A remembrance ceremony will be held on 27 August in a nunnery in Mekinje, organized by the government-founded Study Centre for National Reconciliation.
Comments
It was all going well - the battle for conscience and against totalitarianism - until we arrived at "a nunnery in Mekinje".
When in 1609 it was realised that nun-bonking Father Louis Gaufridi of Aix-en-Provence had, thanks to a pact with the Devil, caused eight nuns to shake their buns and the destruction of one crucifix, it was the lust-crazed sisters of Saint Ursula who pointed the finger.
Following extraction of his confession via strappado and squassation, it was off to the fire for him, whereupon most of the nuns felt much, much better.
What better place to celebrate the individual human identity, deny attempts to control civil-society or independent institutions such as universities and cultural institutions, and condemn past human rights violations, without this serving to conceal present-day human rights violations, than a Catholic HQ of the same Ursuline order?
One which set the trend for the 17th century French possession trials, notably at Loudun, where some of the nuns had obviously become possessed by Old Nick - because they were having vulgar dreams, even after their spankings.
The trials at Aix-en-Provence and Loudun marked the beginning of the persecution, forced conversion and exile of the Huguenots - among whom can be found ancestors of this writer.
I hold no grudges. As Wackopedia notes, demonic possession is not recognized as a psychiatric or medical diagnosis by either the DSM-IV or the ICD-10.
Maybe Danny and the assembled guests should have a barbecue just to ensure Slovenia's virgin-worshipping "democrats" get the hint.
- Women's Day with First Female PM-Designate
- Alenka Bratušek, Slovenia's First Female PM?
- Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility
- PM Going to Brussels to Stop Speculative Attacks on Slovenia
- Slovenian Artist to Explore Ideology and Art in Venice
- Alenka Bratušek, Slovenia's First Female PM?
- Moody´s Continues the "Speculative Attack" on Slovenia
- Pahor Calls First Slovenia 2030 Conference for 23 April
- PM Going to Brussels to Stop Speculative Attacks on Slovenia
- We Need More Europe
- And what are charges against her? It is...
- Yes I think in Republik Slovenia sould be more...
- Does anybody know why they are seeking her or...
- The search for the lady in question should...
- Limerick and cementick brick on St Hilda's...
For those of you who disagree with this sort of thing, and want Slovenia to get mixed up with Slovakia even more, some excellent ways to control civil society and interfere in independent institutions can be found here:
http://churchandstate.org.uk/2012/05/us-catholic-bishops-implications-of-the-pastoral-plan-for-pro-life-activities/