Memory Institute: Velvet Revolution Restored Human Rights and Freedoms to People

Bratislava, 17 November (TASR) - The fall of the communist regime in November 1989 was a key event in Slovakia's 20th-century history, the Nation's Memory Institute (UPN) pointed out in a statement to mark the 36th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, adding that thanks to the Velvet Revolution, democracy was restored in Slovakia, along with the possibility to freely exercise human rights and freedoms. "The totalitarian communist regime deliberately destroyed the traditional values of European civilisation, intentionally violated human rights and freedoms, committed judicial crimes, terrorised those with different opinions, devastated the economy, destroyed the traditional principles of property rights, and abused education, science and culture for political and ideological purposes. Given the criminal nature of the totalitarian communist regime, it is right and proper to celebrate its fall, remember its victims and protect democracy, human rights, and freedoms from initiatives that would seek to restrict them again," TASR was told by UPN spokesman Michal Miklovic. The institute announced that it would commemorate the Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy by laying wreaths at memorials to the victims of communism at several locations in Bratislava. am/df