Memorial Day for the Victims of Political Repression and Famine

Today, May 31, is the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Political Repression and Famine in the Republic of Kazakhstan. In the thirties and forties of the 20th century, the entire national intelligentsia of the Kazakh people, which fought for its interests, was condemned and destroyed by repression, and the clumsy economic policy of the Bolshevik Party led to mass starvation. To date, it is known that at least 1.5 million people in Kazakhstan died of starvation or were forced to leave their historic homeland.

During these years several correctional labor camps were established in Kazakhstan, the largest of which was KARLAG, Steplag. In addition, a special women's camp was established in northern Kazakhstan, where mothers, wives and children of political prisoners were held - ALZHIR (Akmola camp for wives of traitors).

During the years of repression and famine, punitive measures were widely used - confiscation of property, deportation to other regions of residence. As a result, more than 120,000 people were imprisoned in Kazakhstan, more than 25,000 were shot. The condemned were called "enemies of the people".

This day will never be forgotten, and the crimes of totalitarianism have forever left a deep mark in the minds of the Kazakh people.