UKRAINIAN WORLD CONGRESS STATEMENT ON THE 83RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOLODOMOR OF 1932-33
On Saturday, 26 November 2016, the international community will pay tribute to the innocent victims of the Holodomor, the 1932-33 genocide of the Ukrainian nation.
In an attempt to silence the Ukrainian nation and quell its aspirations for freedom, Joseph Stalin’s totalitarian regime, fearing the power of a determined people, sentenced millions of Ukrainians to death by starvation. “Ukraine is now of the utmost importance ... If we do not deal with the situation in Ukraine, we can lose Ukraine forever ...”, Stalin wrote.
Despite the decades-long efforts by communist authorities, and current attempts by other forces to disinform and erase from human memory the horrific experiences of the Holodomor, today the truth of this genocide is known and must continue to be shared. Understanding the true story of the Holodomor will contribute to a better understanding of the Ukrainian people – their spiritual, culture and ethnic identity, and their aspirations for freedom and dignity.
Today, as Ukrainians stand united in the fight against the brutal and unrelenting aggression of the Russian Federation which continues to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty, the international community is being tested on its resolve to defend the principles of democracy, the dignity and basic human rights of every human being, and to foster truth.
The Ukrainian World Congress and the 20-million strong Ukrainian diaspora, in paying tribute to the memory of every child, woman and man that perished during this genocide, vows to continue its persistent efforts to raise international awareness of the Holodomor, including the achievement of recognition of the Holodomor as an act of genocide by all governments and the United Nations.
On Saturday, 26 November 2016, International Holodomor Memorial Day, the Ukrainian World Congress calls upon the international community to share the truth of the genocide of the Ukrainian people by joining in remembrance of the victims of the Holodomor:
F Pause for a moment of silence at 19:32 local time;
F Рray for the victims of the Holodomor;
F Light candles of remembrance in homes; and
F Participate in commemorative events and memorial services in the local community.
