/«Dunyo» IA/. A ceremony commemorating repression victims was held on Shahidlar Khotirasi (Memory of Victims) Alley. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended it, reports “Dunyo” IA correspondent.
According to the press service of the Head of state, Surahs from the Quran and duas were recited in memory of the departed. Memorial pilaf was served.
During the days of independence celebrations, Uzbekistan people traditionally pay tribute to the memory of patriots, remember their struggle for freedom and independence and their contribution to the achievement of these prosperous days. This tradition confirms that our people never forget and always appreciate the selfless service to the Motherland.
During the totalitarian regime, thousands of people in the country were subjected to repression. Families were destroyed, and children were left orphans. In 1937-1938 alone, when the repressions reached their most tremendous scale, about 7,000 of our compatriots were shot.
Executions were carried out on the site where the current alley now stands. During the years of independence, landscaping was carried out here, and a Museum of Memory of the Victims of Repression was created. Branches of the museum are open in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and regions. Now, the museum has organized an exhibition dedicated to the figures of the enlightenment of Turkestan.
The reading of the Quran also took place at the symbolic tombstone in the alley.
“Every time we come here, remembering our brave ancestors who fell in the name of the freedom of our people, we find consolation. Keeping the memory of them and continuing their noble deeds is both an honor and a duty. The fate of our repressed ancestors calls us to value and protect our independence. Living in this independent country, in peace and prosperity, is a great blessing, a gift from the Almighty. Therefore, it is necessary to appreciate all this with a sense of gratitude”, the President said.
It was noted that from 1937 to 1953, 100 thousand people were repressed in Uzbekistan, of which 13 thousand were shot. Unfortunately, the repression did not end there.
In the 1980s, thousands more of our compatriots suffered from injustice. Under false accusations, which became the basis for the so-called “Cotton Case” and “Uzbek Case”, 40,000 country residents were investigated, and 5,000 were prosecuted.
The Head of state stressed that political repressions against the great son of Uzbekistan people, Sharof Rashidov, who headed Uzbekistan for twenty-five years, cause particular regret, which was launched after his death.
The excellent work being carried out to study the life of the Jadids and to perpetuate the memory of unjustly repressed people was noted.
“We work hard to restore justice. Commissions were formed with the participation of historians, and archival documents are being studied. Over the past two years, the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan has rehabilitated more than 850, and this year – another 240 of our compatriots. We must not stop this research. Our people must know the truth”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
The history of that time is replenished with new documents and material evidence. Memory books have been prepared in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, regions, and the city of Tashkent, including information about almost 40 thousand of our compatriots. These collections will be published soon.
The President noted that, at the same time, it is necessary to perpetuate the memory of the victims of repression directly in mahallas where they lived.
“Yes, museums have been organized, books are being published, and rehabilitation continues. But we must not stop there. I think it would be right in every way to install nameplates where the victims of repression were born and where their descendants now live, in schools. Moreover, it is on such memorable days that it is necessary to visit their homes. We visit the participants of the war. Why don’t we remember the victims of repression?! After all, their life is full of heroism. We must study it, promote it, bring it to the attention of young people”, the President said.
