On August 23, 2012 about 50 people gathered for a remembrance ceremony to commemorate the victims of Soviet communist and Nazi regimes, on the anniversary of the 1939 signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, (International Black Ribbon Day).
H.E. Ambassador Marina Kaljurand along with the Embassy staff attended the remembrance ceremony at the Victims of Communism Memorial in Washington, DC.
August 23rd marks the anniversary of the 1939 signing of Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact which divided Europe between Germany and the Soviet Union. This date has been designated by the European Parliament as a Europe-wide Day of Rememb-rance for the victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, to be commemorated with dignity and impartiality. August 23rd is also known as Black Ribbon Day due to protests held in Western countries in 1986 which later spread to the Baltics, culminating in the Baltic Way demonstration with 2 million participants in 1989.
“This event in the history of Europe gave way to tragedies that left no one untouched,” said Ambassador Kaljurand. “By remembering the past and honoring its victims we show respect for freedom, democracy and human rights.”
The memorial event was held by The Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, with support from the Embassies of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and The Joint Baltic American National Committee.
