Abstract:

Since 1948, following the Ukaz issued by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on July 2, mandating the relocation of individuals who deliberately avoided working in agriculture and led an antisocial, parasitic lifestyle to certain regions of the country, a new category known as 'Ukazniki' emerged within the special settlement system. That year alone, over 27 thousand special settlers were admitted to this category, excluding their family members who voluntarily accompanied them to the places of exile. 'Ukazniki' comprised individuals evicted by public trials for sentences of eight-year periods due to failing to fulfill the mandatory minimum workdays. The role of these 'public trials' was assumed by kolkhoz meetings, which issued a public opinion-based verdict that later had to be approved by rayispolkoms.

At this stage, our understanding of this topic is limited by a lack of specialized studies. Consequently, we rely on fragmented references within broader studies on the history of special settlements and related issues. Furthermore, discussions on this category often present one-sided assessments, emphasizing instances of severe and unjust sentences imposed on vulnerable individuals, such as the disabled or women with infants unable to meet workday requirements due to reasonable excuses.

In this paper, the author aims to explore cases of 'Ukazniki' exiled to the Kazakh SSR during the years 1948-1953. Through an analysis of their personal file records as special settlers and other related archival sources, it endeavors to delineate the characteristics of this category. Particular attention will be devoted to elucidating the functioning of the 'public opinion-based sentencing' system in locales where the verdicts of ordinary citizens were instrumental in adjudicating the fate of less-than-ideal members of Soviet society. Additionally, the paper will seek to identify the decision-making processes underlying their exile to the Kazakh SSR and the broader question of who and how determined the locations of exile for those deemed 'parasites.'