"Ahmici, Bleiburg, Jadovno, Jasenovac, Kampor, Krizancevo Selo, Ovcara, Paulin Dvor, Sarajevo, Sijekovac, Srebrenica, Tezno... On this horrible and too long list of pain, on dozens of monuments and unmarked graves, I paid my respects to the victims of war, totalitarianism and hate, deeply confident that the seed of new evil must never again sprout from their burial mounds," the president wrote.
He said the past could not be changed, but must be learned from.
By observing this Day of Remembrance, we remember all victims of totalitarianism as well as the victims of wars around the world, because wars and the inhumane acts committed during war often had in their roots totalitarianism or hatred and contempt towards man and his life, the president wrote.
"We are aware that there is no true reconciliation and forgiveness without acknowledging the victim, without joint remembrance and compassion for all innocent victims," Josipovic said, adding that condemning totalitarian and authoritarian regimes and tendencies, learning about their causes and consequences, and preserving peace, democracy and human rights meant being responsible towards the future.
"In the past century, Europe had too many historical lessons which must never occur again. Therefore, by remembering the victims of totalitarian regimes and all wars, with dignity and responsibility, we build a joint Europe of peace, pluralism, democracy and human rights."
To mark the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes, commemorations will be held for all victims killed at the Jazovka pit and the Jadovno concentration camp.