| Formation | 2008 |
|---|---|
| Type | Human rights organization |
| Location | |
Chair | Camilla Andersson |
Key people | Carl Bildt,Kristian Gerner,Walburga Habsburg Douglas,Mart Laar,Sandra Kalniete,Gunnar Hökmark,Robert Conquest,Stefan Hedlund,Staffan Skott |
| Affiliations | Platform of European Memory and Conscience |
| Website | www |
TheInstitute for Information on the Crimes of Communism (IICC) (Swedish:Upplysning om kommunismen,UOK) is aSweden-basednon-profit andnon-governmentalhuman rights organization, founded in 2008, with the stated purpose of "spreading essential information on thecrimes of communism and to promote vigilance against alltotalitarian ideologies and antidemocratic movements".[1] The institute is a member organization of thePlatform of European Memory and Conscience, an educational project of theEuropean Union bringing together government institutions and NGOs active in research, documentation, awareness raising and education about the crimes of totalitarian regimes.[2]
The IICC publishes information materials and media, surveys, reports, and teaching materials, participates in the public debate, and organizes film screenings, seminars, hearings, media events and exhibitions related to the subject.[3] The IICC cooperates with national institutions, embassies, institutes, NGO:s and organizations inEurope, theUnited States andCanada.[3]
The board of directors consists of Camilla Andersson (chair), Anders Hjemdahl, ProfessorKristian Gerner,Walburga Habsburg Douglas MP, and Mae Liz Orrego Wennick. The institute is largely funded by theConfederation of Swedish Enterprise. The institute received theTempleton Freedom Award in 2009.
Notable honorable members of the IICC and contributors in its publications and activities are current Minister for Foreign Affairs and former Prime Minister of SwedenCarl Bildt, former Prime Minister of EstoniaMart Laar, former Ambassador and EU Commissioner of LatviaSandra Kalniete, Member of the European ParliamentGunnar Hökmark, professorRobert Conquest, professor of historyKristian Gerner, professor of East European studiesStefan Hedlund, professor of historyKlas-Göran Karlsson, author and journalistStaffan Skott, author and journalistKaa Eneberg [sv], and many others.[3]
In cooperation with thegovernment of Sweden, the organization has carried out remembrance ceremonies on theEuropean Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism. Prime MinisterFredrik Reinfeldt, Minister of EducationJan Björklund and EU MinistersCecilia Malmström andBirgitta Ohlsson have taken part in events hosted by the institute.[4][5]
The IICC has been involved in raising awareness about thePrague Declaration on European Conscience and Communism both in Sweden and internationally.[6]