31 May: Commemoration of the victims of political repression in Kazakhstan
On 31 May, Kazakhstan marks the Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repressions. On this day, Kazakhstanis honour the memory of those who suffered political repression between 1921 and 1954, when nearly 100,000 people were convicted, 25,000 of whom were shot. Activities include exhibitions, laying flowers at memorials and publishing new data. Since 2020, the State Commission for the Full Rehabilitation of Victims has been working, studying archives and restoring the historical record.
On 31 May, Kazakhstan marks the Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repression. On this day, Kazakhstanis honour the memory of those who fell victim to tragic events in the country's history related to political repressions after the Civil War.
In the period from 1921 to 1954, almost 100 thousand people were convicted on political articles in Kazakhstan, 25 thousand of whom were shot, according to official data. The country's intellectual elite was particularly affected, causing significant damage to cultural and scientific development.
Political persecution coincided with the famine caused by severe collectivisation. People, deprived of livestock and property, struggled to survive in extremely difficult conditions. Many were forced to leave the country in search of a better life. It was only after Joseph Stalin's death that the cases of those unjustly convicted began to be reviewed. In 1993, Kazakhstan adopted the Law on the Rehabilitation of Victims of Mass Political Repressions.
By presidential decree of 5 April 1997, 31 May was declared the Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repression.
Every year on this day, numerous events are held in Kazakhstan to commemorate the victims: exhibitions are opened in museums, flowers are laid at memorials, and new research and data are published.
The State Commission for the Full Rehabilitation of Victims of Political Repression has been working since 2020. It is researching Kazakhstan's history of the 20-50s, studying archives and restoring the chronicle of events. State bodies and scientists are involved in this important work, and compilations of materials and documents are published based on the results of the research. In 2021, on the instructions of the President of Kazakhstan Kasym-Jomart Tokayev, the Centre for the Study of Materials of Political Repressions of the Twentieth Century was opened, which provides archival support for the work of the State Commission.
From information sent by an anonymous source
