20TH ANNIVERSARY OF REFERENDUM ON UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE
OTTAWA - DECEMBER 1, 2011- The Ukrainian Canadian Congress issued the following statement on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the referendum of December 1, 1991, in which over ninety percent of Ukrainians supported independence:
"Twenty years ago today, Ukrainians voted overwhelmingly in favour of independence and the creation of a Ukrainian state. Ukrainian Canadians congratulate the people of Ukraine for their decision twenty years ago and stand with them as they have chosen the path of freedom and democracy, as they continue to fight for democracy and human rights in Ukraine.
We also commend and thank Canada which was the first Western country to recognize Ukraine's independence for its unwavering commitment to support Ukraine's democratic and economic development as well as human rights in Ukraine."
Ukrainian Canadian Congress National President Paul Grod
Background
On December 1, 1991, a referendum on the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine took place in Ukraine. The referendum question was: "Do you support the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine?" with the text of the Declaration as a preamble to the question. The referendum was called by the Verkhovna Rada to confirm the Act of Independence, which was adopted by the Parliament on August 24, 1991.
Citizens of Ukraine overwhelmingly expressed support for independence with 28,804,071 (or 90.32%) having voted "Yes". The government of Canada was the first Western country to recognize Ukraine's independence on December 2, 1991.
