Czar Nicholas II Rehabilitated in Russia

by Dan Forrest
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Europe

MOSCOW, Russia - The Russian Supreme Court rehabilitated today the reputation of Czar Nicholas II, the last monarch to rule in Russia before the Soviet takeover in 1918.  In reaching its decision, the Court held that the monarch and his family were victims of Soviet political repression, and that their Romanov name should therefore be restored to its rightful place in history. 

The effect of this ruling is to overturn a decision by a panel of the Supreme Court which recently voted not to rehabilitate the royal family.  Last year the Court voted against rehabilitation because the Czar was executed on criminal, not political grounds. 

To offer some background: Czar Nicholas II abdicated the throne during the Russian revolution in 1917 as the Soviet empire began to take hold in Russia.  Because Soviet authorities viewed the royals as a threat to their power, they ordered for him and his family to be executed.  In July, 1918, they were taken to a basement in the Ural mountains where they were shot.  Their bodies were then doused with acid to conceal their identities.  It wasn't until 1991 that their remains were discovered, and they were subsequently reburied at the Imperial resting place in St. Petersburg.

Russian officials admit that the rehabilitation process has been slow because of the repressive manner by which Czar Nicholas II ruled Russia.  Regardless, the Court finally acknowledged today that the royal family was oppressed by the Soviets and then later by history. 

Many Russians believe that the royals were scapegoated by the Soviets for many of the existing social problems of the time.  And while the Court's decision won't change history, it may offer some new perspectives for viewing Russia's past.  German Lukyanov, a lawyer for Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirinova, announced that the decision shows the supremacy of law and the victory of justice over evil and tyranny."  Vladimirinova is a descendant of the Czar and filed suit three years ago to clear the royal family's name. 

All seven members of the Romanov family were made Saints by the Russian Orthodox Church in 2000. 

Perhaps most importantly, the Court's decision here showed the world that its never too late to redress impunity. 

For more information, please see:

BBC - Russia's last tsar rehabilitated - 1 October 2008

International Herald Tribune - Russia's last czar is deemed victim of soviet repression - 1 October 2008

Yahoo (AP) - Russia's last czar declared victim of repression - 1 October 2008