Philadelphia's Ukrainian Human Rights Committee holds exhibit in Kyiv (10/14/01)

Philadelphia's Ukrainian Human Rights Committee holds exhibit in Kyiv

by Ulana Baluch Mazurkevich

KYIV - On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, the Ukrainian Human Rights Committee hosted an exhibit in Kyiv on August 22, at the Verkhovna Rada, titled "The Road to Freedom, Philadelphia - Kyiv, 1974-1991."

Through this exhibit the Ukrainian Human Rights Committee showed that the road to freedom took many paths, some of which proved to be unexpectedly rocky. It also showed the persistence, commitment and dedication of the Ukrainian diaspora to the independence of Ukraine.

The exhibit depicted through photographs and original documents the 17 years of the work of the Ukrainian Human Rights Committee prior to Ukraine's independence. The exhibit encompassed the 1970s marked by demands for the release of Valentyn Moroz, Levko Lukianenko and many other dissidents from Soviet prisons and culminated in the joyous independence celebration on the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum in 1991.

The display was but a small slice of the UHRC's activities, from demonstrations in support of human rights to lobbying in Congress on behalf of political prisoners. The exhibit included letters from members of the U.S. Congress to Soviet officials on behalf of Ukraine: hearings on Capitol Hill regarding human rights violations by the Soviet government, letters to political prisoners in the gulag, which were returned as "addressee unknown"; and petitions to world leaders on behalf of Ukraine. The exhibit also included the work of the U.S. Congressional Commission on the Ukraine Famine of 1932-1933 and many other documents in the struggle for the Ukrainian cause.

The "Road to Freedom" exhibit was on view during a special session of the Rada marking the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. At this ceremonial session on August 23 all the former and current members of the Verkhovna Rada assembled.

The exhibit left a lasting impression on those who viewed it; many viewers were surprised at the activities depicted in the exhibit since they did not realize the massive amount of work done abroad on behalf of Ukraine. They were most intrigued by the photos dealing with Congressional hearings and lobbying activities.

Philadelphia activists explained the Ukrainian Human Rights Committee established strong ties with many members of Congress and that these senators and representatives who had written letters to Soviet authorities protesting the denial of human rights today remain strong supporters of a free and democratic Ukraine.

The exhibit was also displayed at the Palace of Ukraine on August 18 at the opening of the third World Forum of the diaspora and later at the Institute for International Studies.

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