The drama of deportations and the terrible sufferings through which the deportees went are yet bleeding wounds. But the wounds are part of what we are today. That’s why it is important not to forget. Let’s remember these people and their place in history each year, Prime Minister Pavel Filip stated in the event held to commemorate the victims of Stalinist deportations, IPN reports.
The Premier said the political repression of July 1949 remains a tragedy of the nation and the way in which the people were treated, the terrible conditions and the sufferings of deportees continue to cause pain and fear to the entire nation. The Stalinist deportations shook the Romanian foundations and everything culture and values meant, the political repression being applied against the persons who were inconvenient to the Soviet regime owing to their mentality.
“A Moldova where the people lost orientation and the community leaders remained behind. We often wonder why we don’t manage to do particular things and why we lag behind other countries. The answer is evident – because the best persons who could guide us further were deported. They were deported so that those who remained could be easier manipulated and made silent,” stated Pavel Filip.
The Premier noted that the persons who suffered as a result of the political repression will continue to benefit from state aid. In this regard, the Government recently approved a social package that includes additional benefits, such as free prophylactic medical examinations and 50% discounts off the price of sanatorium tickets. Also, the monthly allowance was raised from 100 to 500 lei, while the annual lump sum offered to this category of people was increased to 1,000 lei. “For us, it is important that you enjoy the necessary assistance and you should know that we think about you. You, those who survived the deportations, are a real source of inspiration for me,” stated Pavel Filip.
In the event, the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet read the names of persons who suffered as a result of the political repression. Similar events will be staged in the country’s districts in the course of July 6. The governmental team laid flowers at the Pain Train monument in the square of the Railway Terminal in Chisinau. This was built in memory of the victims of Stalinist deportations.
There were three deportation waves – in June 1941, in July 1949 and in April 1951. Known under the name “South”, the deportations of July 5-6, 1949 are the second and largest deportation wave. The victims of Stalinist deportations are annually commemorated on July 6, which was declared a day of national mourning.
