Strasbourg, 27/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - Adopting a resolution in Strasbourg on Thursday 26 October on the fiftieth anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, the European Parliament slammed Communist ideology and all forms of totalitarianism.
In the joint resolution from the EPP-ED, PES, ALDE, Greens/EFA and UEN, the EP says that the 1956 Hungarian Revolution was an emblem of the fight for freedom and democracy in the twentieth century. The MEPs paid tribute to the courageous men and women of Hungary who had sacrificed their lives to provide a glimmer of hope to other nations caught in the Communist stranglehold. By 458 to 36 with 12 abstentions, the European Parliament stressed that the democratic community had to unequivocally reject repressive, anti-democratic Communist ideology, defend the principles of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law and clearly take sides every time they are flouted. The EP called for the establishment of a European programme to boost cooperation among research and documentation centres in Member States researching the crimes committed by totalitarian regimes. (oj)