Tsahkna criticizes removal of Tomsk memorials

Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has strongly condemned the recent actions in Tomsk, Russia, where memorial sites dedicated to victims of political repression, including the 'Stone of Mourning,' have been removed. Tsahkna described the demolition as "unacceptable and inadmissible," highlighting it as a deliberate attempt to erase history and silence the memory of millions who suffered under Soviet rule.

Speaking from Tallinn, Tsahkna stated, "Memory cannot be erased. Such an act directly insults Estonians who fell victim to Soviet terror." This statement resonates deeply within Estonia, a nation with a painful history of Soviet occupation and repression. The removal of these memorials is seen not just as an act against historical remembrance but as a direct affront to the victims and their descendants, many of whom are Estonian.

Postimees views this development with grave concern. The systematic erasure of historical memory, particularly concerning periods of immense suffering and injustice, is a dangerous trend. We believe that acknowledging and remembering the past, in all its complexity, is crucial for preventing future atrocities and for fostering a just and informed society. The actions in Tomsk, therefore, are not merely a local issue but a matter of international significance, challenging the very foundations of historical truth and human dignity.

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Tegemist on teadliku katsega kustutada ajalugu ja vaigistada miljonite kannatanute mälestus. Kuid mälu ei saa kustutada. Selline teguviis solvab otseselt eestlasi, kes Nõukogude terrori ohvriks langesid.