Kazakhstan Observes Day of Remembrance for Victims of Political Repressions

Astana, The Gulf Observer: Kazakhstan solemnly observes the Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repressions on May 31, an annual commemoration that has been marked since 1997, according to media reports.

This day honors the memory of the more than 100,000 people in Kazakhstan who were convicted between 1921 and 1954 during a period of severe political repression. Official statistics reveal that over 20,000 of these individuals were sentenced to death.

The political repressions had a devastating impact, leading to the mass deaths of the Kazakh elite and intellectuals during the 1920s and 1930s. In late 1928, almost all active members of the Alash Party and prominent public figures were arrested on charges of being non-Soviet nationalists. Among those arrested were notable figures such as Akhmet Baiturssynov, Myrzhakyp Dulatov, Mukhamedzhan Tynyshbayev, Magzhan Zhumabayev, Saken Seifullin, Ilyas Zhansugurov, Beimbet Mailin, Sanzhar Asfendiyarov, Sultanbek Khodzhanov, Turar Ryskulov, Smagul Sadvakassov, Abdrakhman Baidildin, and others.

During World War II, many Kazakhstanis were mobilized to support the war efforts on the home front. Concurrently, the Soviet authorities continued their repressive actions against perceived “enemies from within,” viewing them as potential threats to national security.

The 1930s also witnessed a catastrophic famine, with estimates suggesting that approximately 3 million Kazakhstanis perished.

This Day of Remembrance serves as a solemn reflection on the tragic past and a tribute to the resilience of those who suffered and perished. It underscores the importance of remembering history to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.