MA Programme in Political Analysis and Public Policy

Shchegolev Evgeny

1-st year student,

MA Programme in Political Analysis and Public Policy

International Campaign «Antistalinism» was founded in 2005 and aims to convene an international tribunal to investigate the mass repression, and for final evaluation of the actions of Stalin, on the orders that killed millions of people.

Official website of the Campaign

Description of the Campaign

Background Information

The company started in 2005 on the initiative of the Youth Human Rights Movement. By participating in the campaign, joined by non-profit organizations in Ukraine, Belarus, Finland, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania, etc. The basis for initiation of an International Tribunal to investigate the mass repressions were the studies conducted by the society "Memorial", Youth human rights movement, as well as organizations to support the implementation of campaign and researching the issue.

The cause of this campaign was the need to make a definitive assessment of this period, it is necessary for the further development of the country. And besides, not to repeat the horrors that were in the period of Stalin.

The cause of this campaign was the need to make a definitive assessment of this period, which claimed millions of lives.

During this period, only 2 years (1937-1938gg.) on political charges has been arrested more than 1.7 million people, of whom 725,000 were shot. From 1921 to 1953 under st. 58 "enemies of the State" has been arrested more than four million people, of whom about 1,4 million people were killed (shot, died in prison).

In addition, other articles were condemned millions of people who were sent to correctional work, the GULAG. The state has committed a crime against the people, when in 1930-33 confiscated by the crop, thus millions of lives in Ukraine, the Caucasus, Povolzh’e, and Kazakhstan.

Subjects of the Campaign

The company was supported by the following Russian non-profit organizations:

- Youth Human Rights Movement;

- Society «Memorial»;

- Center for Democracy and Human Rights;

- Institute of the National Project "Social Contract"

- The Moscow Helsinki Group.

The campaign covers 8 countries (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia). Support from the leadership of Russia was not, as yet not determined a look at this period of Russian history.

It was planned establishment of the International action team to work on the issue of condemnation of the Stalinist regime and the convening of the International Tribunal. In addition, the international initiative was designed to initiate activities and discussion in society on the Stalinist regime.

Goals

The campaign is a condemnation of the Stalinist regime and the convening of the International Tribunal to investigate the mass repressions of the Stalinist regime to condemn as guilty of crimes against humanity.

Targets

Objectives:

- Forming of good-neighborly relations between the countries members of the campaign, through understanding and awareness of shared past - the Stalinist regime;

- Contribute to advancing the debate on the horrors of Stalinism in the society;

- Organization of information activities aimed at youth;

- Research Stalinist period.

Activities

During the campaign there were several types of activities:

1. site development campaign with basic information on Stalinism, as well as materials for further study -

2. Action "Remember 1937". The action to recall the horrors of the Great Terror, "which was initiated by higher party organs in the USSR.[1]A student essay contest on "anti-Stalinism". In the regions of Russia, conferences, round tables.

3. Coverage of events related to that period in Russian history, as well as the collection of materials that attempt to rehabilitate Stalin's regime.

«Memorial» conducts research archives, and publishes lists of victims of Stalin's regime. Participation of experts in public debate.

4. Open letter to the deputies of the PASE.

5. Organisation of meetings and information events in the Memorial Day of victims of political repression.

6. Thematic exhibitions and competitions, international seminars.Target group - young people.

7. Address to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. It was issued condemning the actions of the Soviet regime as a crime against the citizens of their country. In recognition of the Holodomor in Ukraine was denied, because we can not assume that it was directed only against the Ukrainians. The author agrees with the decision of the Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Analysis

Strategy

To achieve these goals has been chosen strategy:

- Education activities, ie meetings, events, competitions. The focus, as young people, and in the older generation, which is the carrier of information about the Stalinist regime;

- Participation in public debate on the issues of the Stalinist regime, the preparation of public open applications, such as an appeal to the Moscow City Government, which planned to decorate the city with posters depicting Stalin.

In this situation, I think that a campaign aimed at education (education) projects are very relevant. Because only by working with young people, through an open dialogue about the history, the number of deaths and the horrors of the Stalinist regime could develop a view on this issue. And not a substitute for the concept of "people's victory" - "a victory Stalin."

Analyzes campaign, it must be noted as a positive, it is the participation of experts in public debate.Earlier in the discussion involved people who were not based on facts and often referred to misleading data. At the moment, the situation changed. The figures, which were called had not previously been confirmed. The number of victims is less, but it does not reduce the extent of Stalin's crimes against the people.

To the weak campaign include the lack of a unified point of view on issues such as the Holodomor in Ukraine. That does not allow to develop a single strategy campaign. Furthermore, the question of Stalinism - is a political issue. And now, in Ukraine and in Russia there is no political will to assess the regime.

Strengths of the project include:

- Scientific basis, which created organizations supporting the campaign;

- Organization of competitions among the students;

- Conferences for history teachers.

Discourse

This topic is relevant and debated in society so that the Stalinist regime - a period in the history of our country, for which there is no single assessment.Actively discussed and is supported by the social status of Stalin, as the winner and the man who spent upgrading the country after the war. But, while the public does not discuss the price of victory and modernization.

As shown by competition «Name of Russia», Stalin claimed first place on the results of the competition and only at the last moment for leadership came, Alexander Nevsky and Stolypin. However, this result was only possible as a result of rigging votes. In fact, we have as a leader in the image of Stalin. The results and problems that exist in society actively discussed after the project.

The other side of public discussion is to look at the Stalinist regime as a factor impeding the development of good neighborly relations between Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and other countries, which shows a negative evaluation of the actions of Stalin.[2]

In a society ever more looming question of the Stalinist regime and the relationship to him, especially after the events in Poland, as well as plans for the monument to Stalin in the Ukraine[3].

WhoCares?

Judging based on campaign slogans, there is no personal interest campaign organizers. First of all - it upsets all those whose relatives were killed during Stalin's repressions.

And it is very important that they have participated actively in the campaign and included in the public dialogue.

Furthermore, the dialogue is important for policy makers who decide on the basis of the views of people on an issue that could serve as a catalyst for the development of friendly relations between the peoples of Russia, Poland and the Baltic countries.

Delivery vs Efficiency

To assess the effectiveness of this campaign is rather difficult.

But, if we can say that the number of anti-Stalinist of the media has grown and there is an inverse relationship to the statement of people supported and endorsed the Stalinist regime.

In addition, as an estimate of the campaign used the results of surveys of citizens.Currently, 58% of Russians believe that Stalin's regime to justify the sacrifice is not possible. More than 32% of citizens are ready to recognize Stalin's state criminal.

Indicators of efficiency include increased number of participants in competitions, conferences and seminars. Five years ago, an essay contest were sent dozens of works, but now the number of publications has increased considerably, and the theme of «Antistalinism» became a research topic of a large number of young historians.

Results

At the moment Russia is still Stalinist period measured in terms of that Stalin won the war, and ignore the number of casualties during the war and postwar years. But the campaign continues in the light of recent developments in international relations between Russia and Poland may be an additional impetus for the discussion of Stalin's regime. And later, the condemnation of the crimes of Stalinism.

Organized by an international working group.

The outcome of the campaign include increasing the number of information occasions in the media and the emergence of public discus on the evaluation of the Stalinist regime. This important achievement, because earlier this issue was not discussed in society.

A positive aspect in the campaign is the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, denounced Stalin in a crime against humanity. And besides, PACE recommended that Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus to open all archives on the period.

Author fully supported this campaign and believes that without the evaluation of the past, and admitting mistakes and horrors of Stalinism, it is not possible to build not only good relations with other countries, but also to shape the future of their country.

[1] Международная акция «Помни 1937 год»

[2]Аналитический Центр Юрия Левады (Левада-Центр)

[3]Аналитический Центр Юрия Левады (Левада-Центр)