![]() Soviet repressions remain one of the main traumatic points in the collective memory of post-Soviet countries. ![]() Moreover, the issue is relevant in terms of transitional justice as well. The issue is also important in regards to freedom of information, as access to such documents is one of the components of an open government, especially in post-Soviet states, where openness should start from the archives. It is impossible to have a valid written history of the 20th century of any former Soviet country without studying these archives. Only a full opening of the archives of the intelligence and security agencies can give answers, both to private matters of citizens, as well questions that have enormous value for the entire society. In order to avoid repeating the totalitarian practices of the past, it is important to inform society how the repressive modes had worked. Open access to the archives of the totalitarian intelligence agencies, not only gives the chance to restore the violated rights, but also shows that information on all crimes will become known to the public, sooner or later. It is possible to construct new state institutes, including, breaking off the continuity chain with the organs of the retaliatory body, which had implemented the repressive actions. The democratization of the intelligence agencies and polices can’t occur properly if they continue to guard the archives containing information on mass human rights violations and continue to use the same methods of their predecessors. In particular, the study of archival documents, which are often the only accurate sources of information about the tragic events of the past. In order to ensure this core value, a crucial task and necessity is a proper analysis and study of history. ![]() Modern day progressive society has agreed that totalitarian regimes, with its political repressions and prosecutions, must not be repeated. Without archival work, no genuine and accurate scientific and historical research is possible regarding the Soviet era. The only space where communists were truthful and honest was with “Secret” and “Top Secret” documents that Soviet bureaucrats circulated among the top level of government and ruling elite. However, on a practical level, there are problems in transparency and free access that some researchers have faced during their work at the reading rooms of the National Archive.ĭuring the 70 years of the Soviet rule, history was used as an ideological weapon devoid of any real facts truth was full of falsifications, misinterpretations, communist postulates and clichés. On a legislative level Georgia, together with the Baltic States, may seem like a good example of a post-Soviet country with an open, available, and accessible Soviet archive for researchers and visitors. In many countries, Soviet era documents remain classified, and archives are not accessible to scholars and historians other countries, only partially. These differences determined state policies toward archives. The transition to democracy, de-sovietisation and rethinking of the Soviet past proceeded at a different pace and took various paths in the former Soviet republics. ![]() Access to the Soviet archives and archival documents remains a contentious topic among many post-Soviet countries.
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