We need this truth

There are many dramatic and bloody pages in the history of the Ukrainian people. But the most tragic ones are undoubtedly those connected with the repressive policy of Soviet totalitarianism in the 1920s-1980s. Millions of people were destroyed just for a single word uttered inadvertently, their desire to see Ukraine free, and their determination to defend their human rights.

Therefore, the sacred duty of the new generations of Ukrainians is to ascertain the historical truth and restore justice for the innocent victims of the totalitarian Soviet regime. This is the exalted goal of the state-sponsored documentary book series Rehabilitated by History. The publication project was launched in pursuance of the Law “On the Rehabilitation of Victims of Political Repressions” of April 6, 1991, by the Institute of Ukrainian History at the National Academy of Sciences, the Security Service of Ukraine, the All-Ukrainian League of Area Researchers, and the Vasyl Stus Memorial Ukrainian Historical and Educational Society.

On March 2 the Institute of Ukrainian History launched this state-sponsored project, which Petro Tronko, the outstanding Ukrainian historian, full member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and Hero of Ukraine, has been promoting for many years. To be more exact, he has been the powerhouse behind this project. (A striking detail: in spite of his status and venerable age of 92, Professor Tronko made dozens of phone calls, inviting various people to attend the book launch.)

It is no less striking that no one from the Cabinet of Ministers, parliamentary leadership, or the presidential staff put in an appearance. This finally puts the record straight: it is only we, ordinary citizens, who need this. No less astounding is the fact that, for lack of any funding, the editorial board was able to begin at least some of its work as long ago as 1997.

Even today funds are being assigned according to the “residual principle,” which forces scholars to terminate some regional programs. Another thing: because of the “energy crisis,” the temperature in the conference hall where the ceremony took place was well below the lower limit.

What is the current status of the Rehabilitated by History series? What has already been done and what work remains? What is the great scholarly, political, and moral significance of this event for Ukraine? Well-known Ukrainian historians and civic figures will provide answers to these questions in an upcoming issue of The Day.