Investigator Argues Tarrafal Camp's History Needs Broader, More Factual Reckoning

Investigator and journalist Sandra Inês Cruz has called for a more comprehensive and accurate historical accounting of the Tarrafal prison camp, particularly concerning its later periods. Cruz participated in an International Symposium on the Tarrafal Camp, where her presentation focused on the camp's final phase as a site of deprivation of liberty, a subject central to her doctoral thesis and published book. She noted that her contribution was perceived as a dissenting voice among presentations focused on a more established narrative. Cruz stated that while there's a push to expand the Tarrafal's historical recognition, particularly for UNESCO World Heritage status, significant resistance exists against information that disrupts the prevailing narrative. This resistance, she believes, stems from a lack of engagement with primary sources and documentation, leading to inaccuracies in both Cape Verdean and Portuguese accounts of the camp's history, including its initial phase as a penal colony with a predominantly Portuguese inmate population. Cruz emphasized that her role is not to attack but to present factual findings from her research, aiming to incorporate overlooked individuals, dates, and stories into the camp's history. She argued that the current memorialization often selectively highlights opposition to Salazarism, fascism, and colonialism, omitting inconvenient truths about the inmates. Cruz pointed out that the memorial lists include individuals with criminal backgrounds unrelated to political opposition, alongside political prisoners, and questioned why this inclusivity is not applied to later periods and different inmate profiles. She observed that while her findings are sometimes viewed as political discourse in Cape Verde, in Portugal, they are seen as a contribution to broadening historical memory. Cruz concluded by questioning why oral histories and repeated publications often gain more credibility than conclusions supported by documentary and archival research, advocating for a more evidence-based and inclusive historical representation of the Tarrafal camp.