Every year on May 31 Kazakhstan marks the Memorial Day for Victims of Political Repression and Famine. This date embodies one of the most tragic pages in the history of the country. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the people of Kazakhstan on this occasion. In the first half of the last century, more than 100,000 people were unjustly convicted in Kazakhstan, about a fourth of whom received death sentences, the Head of State noted. There were 11 labour camps throughout the country. During the forcible deportation, about five million people found shelter on Kazakh land. Collectivization, which has in fact led to a humanitarian catastrophe of a global nature, was another shock for the people. Having learned the lessons of history, we will make sure that such tragedies never happen again, President Tokayev stressed.
Translation by Assem Zhanmukhanova
Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova
