03/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 2 April, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the theme “European conscience and totalitarianism” in which it firmly condemns all crimes against humanity and the massive violations of human rights committed by totalitarian and authoritarian regimes. MEPs regret that 20 years after the collapse of the Communist dictatorships in Central and Eastern Europe, access to documents that are of personal relevance or needed for scientific research is still unduly restricted in some member states. They therefore call on the countries to make a genuine effort towards opening up archives. MEPs also call for the singular nature of the Holocaust to be acknowledged for ever. Parliament calls for the establishment of a Platform of European Memory and Conscience as well as the creation of a pan-European documentation centre/memorial for the victims of totalitarian regimes. Finally, Parliament hopes that 23 August will be proclaimed a Europe-wide remembrance day for the victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes. (B.C./transl.jl)