Hellar Lille, director of the Estonian War Museum, says there are still 25 red monuments in public spaces in Estonia. They remain because private owners or local governments have not removed them. One of them is in the city center of Sillamäe.
The Sillamäe city authorities say the monument cannot be removed because there is no corresponding law. The Center Party has ruled Sillamäe for years. Mihhail Kõlvart, chairman of the Center Party, says that if the state does not see a problem with the red obelisk, the city should not intervene.
He says, "It is important that the symbols are removed. No monument should evoke negative emotions in society. The local government has the right to decide how to do this. If the state does not see a problem, then the local government has the right to resolve the issue itself."
In 2023, the President left unannounced a law that would have removed red obelisks from public spaces. The law was stuck in disputes between government parties. Marek Reinaas, chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee, says the government wanted to make the removal of occupation symbols from buildings voluntary.
Reinaas says, "The committee last discussed this issue on March 10th. Since then, the bill has not been on the agenda. No one has suggested discussing it again. The Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs does not consider this topic a priority."
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta says the Ministry of Culture has held back the process. Pakosta says, "Are we ready to say that we do not protect objects with red symbolism as nationally significant memorials? This is an important question. The current bill is unclear and bureaucratic."
Pakosta adds, "In 2023, Eesti 200 said we should not protect such objects. Many Reform Party members supported this position. But the Ministry of Culture must make this decision."
The Ministry of Culture did not comment further and said they have no disagreements with the Ministry of Justice. Vladimir Võssotski, a member of the Sillamäe City Council, says the Sillamäe red obelisk has been made neutral. He says, "There is a small star on the plaque, but generally, you cannot say exactly which soldier it represents."
The monument was erected in the city center of Sillamäe in 1975. It commemorated the 30th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. It was once the destination point for parade participants.