Moldova: Information on the slogans "Russians-suitcases-train station-Russia" and "Russians over the Dniestr-Jews into the Dniestr" and any response from the authorities
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MDA16242.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Moldova: Information on the slogans "Russians-suitcases-train station-Russia" and "Russians over the Dniestr-Jews into the Dniestr" and any response from the authorities, 1 January 1994, MDA16242.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abfc2b.html [accessed 3 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to an analyst at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) in Germany, the slogans "Russians-suitcases-train station-Russia" and "Russians over the Dniestr-Jews into the Dniestr" were used in 1989 (26 Jan. 1994). The analyst stated that the first slogan was "more a saying than a slogan, and it was narrated or quoted but not chanted" (ibid.). The analyst indicated that it was often heard at political rallies organized to press for reinstatement of the Moldovan language in the republic (ibid.). The source stated that the saying was used by communist Moldovan authorities as propaganda to "discredit Moldovan secessionist movements" (ibid.). The source further stated that the authorities did not use force against the Moldovan secessionist movements, instead their campaign took the form of "psychological warfare" (ibid.). The analyst indicated the expression has not been used since Moldova declared its independence in 1991 (ibid.).
The same source indicated that the second slogan, "Russians over the Dniestr-Jews into the Dniestr," was used only once, on one placard in 1989, and was never used again (ibid.). According to the analyst, this slogan was never reported in the Moldovan press and was used by authorities to discredit the Moldovan secessionist movement (ibid.). The analyst also stated that currently there is no evidence of anti-semitism in the public arena (ibid.).
A specialist on eastern Europe at the Human Rights Law Group in Washington, DC, indicated that although he cannot recall the above-mentioned slogans being used since 1989, it is likely they were employed prior to Moldova's independence because of the ethnic tension existing at that time (28 Jan. 1994). The source further indicated that the slogan "Jews into the Dniestr" was used during the Second World War, when the region was occupied by Germany (ibid.).
For further information on the situation of Jews and Russians in Moldova, please refer to Response to Information Request MDA15489.E of 26 October 1993, which is available on the Refinfo database at your Regional Documentation Centre.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Analyst specializing in Moldova, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) Research Institute, Munich. 28 January 1994. Telephone interview.
Researcher specializing in eastern Europe, Human Rights Law Group, Washington, DC. 28 January 1994. Telephone interview.
