Nexhmije Hoxha, the widow of communist dictator Enver Hoxha died yesterday at the age of 99.
Since her husband’s death in 1985 and the fall of the communist regime in 1990, Nexhmije did not express any regrets or apologies for the deaths, imprisonment, torture and persecution of hundreds of thousands of Albanians.
There are many today that have still not been compensated for their suffering during the regime and others that still do not know where the remains of their loved ones are.
She was jailed for nine years for embezzlement in 1990 but remained a staunch defender of her husband’s politics. In 2008, she said, “when the standard of living was compared to the West, it can be considered modest, but there was an egalitarian spirit.”
The regime of her husband imprisoned, executed, disappeared, or put in labour camps some 100,000 people. Thousands more were starved and persecuted and the remains of over 5000 are still unknown.
Nexhmije wrote several books and memoirs yet failed to reflect on the horrific crimes inflicted on Albanians by her husband during his rule. Today, many consider her to have been the regime’s closest associates who will be long remembered as one of the main perpetrators of communist crimes.
Her son Ilir confirmed the news by saying “she devoted all her life to the country’s freedom and the construction of a new Albania.”
The ruling Socialist Party which is a direct descendant of the Communist Party has also never issued a formal or informal apology for crimes committed against Albanians during the 40 years of Communist rule. Instead, a growing number of ex-regime judges and politicians are being placed into positions of power within state institutions.
