Law and Collective Memories after the Communism – Why the Post-Communist States Decided to Create Institutes of National Remembrance?

End of communism and beginning of the transitions in Central and Eastern Europe was not only connected with reconstruction of states and its economies. New democratic regimes from that part of Europe had also to deal with their past. Apart from different ways of transition – from agreements to military uprising – all of them decided to create a beings which we can name as a group – institutes of national remembrance. All of them are unusual institutions, unknown in the other parts of the world. They were created, they are supervised and financed by the states. The critiques in media discourse are usually presenting them as a “ministries of the historical truth”. Followers are emphasizing that they are playing outstanding role for putting straight the history of former communist Central and Eastern European States.

The main paper task will be presentation and analyze the legal institutions related to the institute’s creation and functioning. Especially to answer of question what is the relation between state legislation on collective memory and what is its impact on their societies. How the post – communists states are trying to influence on history through the law on “Institutes”.