MPP YVAN BAKER: STATEMENT ON THE CRISIS IN UKRAINE
July 21, 2014
This morning this House gave unanimous consent to hold a moment of silence to commemorate the 298 lives lost on Flight MH17.
This is a tragedy of unspeakable proportions. The people of Ukraine and the families of those lost remain in all of our thoughts during this devastating time.
The unfortunate reality, Mr. Speaker, is that this is one more act of unspeakable violence in a string of civilian casualties since the crisis in Ukraine began. The dead include brave Ukrainians who stood in Independence Square to demand a better life and died for that cause at the hands of the Yanukovych regime.
It includes those whose blood has been spilled by rebels that have, according to US government officials, been funded, supplied, and trained by the Putin regime.
And now the violence in Ukraine has made casualties of 298 citizens from countries around the world that were needlessly shot down on Flight MH17.
The killing of civilians during a conflict, whether deliberate or not, is inexcusable.
As leaders and as MPPs, we have a responsibility to speak up in the face of injustice and when human rights are being violated. Now is one of those times.
This violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity is an affront to all those who value democracy, freedom and human rights.
I urge the Federal Government to convince international partners to implement stringent sanctions against the Putin regime and provide greater support to the Ukrainian government as it seeks to preserve Ukraine’s independence, democracy, and freedom from violence.
I believe that these are principles that we strive for as Ontarians for ourselves and those around the world. This is why I stand today in solidarity with all those who seek a peaceful and democratic path for Ukrainians and all people striving to protect their freedom.
