CONVICTED FEMALE COMINFORM SUPPORTERS FROM THE AREA OF SUPUTHEASTERN SERBIA

Abstract

Previous research has shown that there were a total of 722 convicts from the areas of Southeastern Serbia who were convicted of supporting Cominform and that their number is below the Yugoslav average. The situation is similar for women from Southeastern Serbia who were sentenced for supporting Cominform. According to public records, 34 female convicts for Cominform were born in this region. In addition to them, we managed to register six women who lived in southeastern Serbia at the time of the conflict with Cominform and were arrested there. We have registered a total of 40 of them. They spent their time between 1948 and 1956 in several prisons and camps. The women from Southeastern Serbia who were convicted of supporting Cominform were a small and inhomogeneous group who had undergone hard, complex and challenging experiences. For many of them, the sentences were significantly increased. Despite attempts to re-educate them, they put up considerable resistance, and then they were often broken and tormented by long-term punishments and torture. After their release, they were subjected to new forms of surveillance and had difficulty finding a job and advancing professionally. For many, release often only meant a change in the form of surveillance and pressure. In addition, they had to remain salient and conceal their fate. Among those who had the courage to speak out and record their experiences were two female convicts from Southeastern Serbia - Ženi Lebl and Vera Cenić.