Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (“Holodomor”) Memorial Day Act (S.C. 2008, c. 19)

Preamble

WHEREAS the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide of 1932-33 known as the Holodomor was deliberately planned and executed by the Soviet regime under Joseph Stalin to systematically destroy the Ukrainian people’s aspirations for a free and independent Ukraine, and subsequently caused the death of millions of Ukrainians in 1932 and 1933;

WHEREAS that forced collectivization by the Soviet regime under Joseph Stalin also caused the death of millions of other ethnic minorities within the former Soviet Union;

WHEREAS 2007-08 marks the 75th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide of 1932-33;

WHEREAS on November 26, 1998, the President of Ukraine issued a Presidential Decree establishing that the fourth Saturday in November be recognized as a National Day of Remembrance for the victims of this mass atrocity;

WHEREAS on June 19, 2003, the Senate of Canada unanimously adopted a motion calling on the Government of Canada to recognize the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33 as an act of genocide;

WHEREAS on November 28, 2006, Ukraine’s Parliament voted to recognize the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33 as an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people;

WHEREAS the parliaments of Argentina, Austria, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland and the United States of America and the senates of Australia and Canada have recognized the forced Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33 as a genocide against the Ukrainian people;

WHEREAS the fourth Saturday in November has been recognized by Ukrainian communities throughout the world as a day to remember the victims of the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide of 1932-33 and to promote the fundamental freedoms of a democratic society;

WHEREAS it is recognized that information about the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide of 1932-33 was suppressed, distorted or destroyed by Soviet authorities;

WHEREAS it is only now that truthful and accurate information is emerging from the former Soviet Union about the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide of 1932-33;

WHEREAS many survivors of the Ukrainian Famine and Genocide of 1932-33 have immigrated to Canada and have made a positive contribution to Canadian society;

WHEREAS Canada, as a party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of December 9, 1948, condemns all genocides;

AND WHEREAS Canadians cherish democracy, defend human rights, and value the diversity and multicultural nature of Canadian society;