Last week’s issue of this newspaper publicized a nationwide Holodomor awareness effort that has been initiated here in the United States by the U.S. Committee for Ukrainian Holodomor Genocide Awareness (U.S. Holodomor Committee), which is working with national Ukrainian American organizations and local community groups across the country. The endeavor is part of commemorations of the 85th anniversary year of the Holodomor that began last November with a religious service at the Holodomor Memorial in Washington.
As noted by the U.S. Holodomor Committee, activities to promote awareness and knowledge about our Ukrainian genocide include scholarly symposia, memorial services, endeavors to include the Holodomor in school curricula, as well as efforts to secure resolutions and proclamations about the Holodomor anniversary from governors and state legislatures. One of its principal goals is to obtain such recognition in all 50 states. We urge our readers to take another look at the committee’s article to see how you can become involved (https://www.ukrweekly.com/uwwp/nationwide-holodomor-awareness-effort-under-way-for-85th-anniversary-commemoration/).
Meanwhile, in the U.S. Congress, Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), co-chairs of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, introduced Senate Resolution 435 to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide of 1932-1933. In addition, the resolution: “condemns the systematic violations of human rights, including the freedom of self-determination and freedom of speech, of the Ukrainian people by the Soviet government; recognizes the findings of the Commission on the Ukraine Famine as submitted to Congress on April 22, 1988, including that ‘Joseph Stalin and those around him committed genocide against the Ukrainians in 1932-1933’; encourages dissemination of information regarding the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in order to expand the world’s knowledge of this man-made tragedy; and supports the continuing efforts of the people of Ukraine to work toward ensuring democratic principles, a free-market economy, and full respect for human rights, in order to enable Ukraine to achieve its potential as an important strategic partner of the United States in that region of the world, and to reflect the will of its people.” Our goal now must be to get other senators to sign on as co-sponsors of the measure, as well as to thank those 11 legislators who have already given their support. Again, we encourage readers to take a look at last week’s issue to see the Action Item in regard to S. Res. 435 (https://www.ukrweekly.com/uwwp/action-item-ukrainian-holodomor-resolution-in-u-s-senate/).
At the same time, it is worth noting that April is Genocide Awareness, Condemnation and Prevention Month in Canada. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress reports that this year the Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs, the Armenian National Committee of Canada, the UCC and the Rwandan Humura Association are joining efforts to organize a series of events in Ottawa and Toronto to promote genocide awareness and educate the public, and thus strengthen efforts to prevent genocide. It was back on April 24, 2015, that the House of Commons had passed Motion 587 that not only designated April as a time of remembrance, but also noted the genocides recognized by Canada: the Jewish Holocaust, the Ukrainian Holodomor, the Rwandan Tutsi Genocide and the Armenian Genocide of 1915. The UCC adds that the Canadian Parliament has also recognized the Bosnian Genocide and the ongoing genocide being committed by the Islamic State against the Yazidis of Syria and Iraq.
It is important that all of us contribute in whatever way we can to promote awareness of the genocide of the Ukrainian nation in a meaningful historical context. There is no more fitting way to remember the millions lost in the Holodomor.