LIGHT A CANDLE ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2012 IN EVERY HOUSEHOLD
23 November 2012
MEDIA RELEASE
REMEMBERING THE MILLIONS WHO PERISHED IN UKRAINE’S 1932 -33 FAMINE – ACT OF GENOCIDE
……..Millions were children and infants
“The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) calls upon the Australian and international community to commemorate the anniversary of the 1932-33 Holodomor on Saturday November 24, 2012, and duly pay respect to the innocent victims of this genocide of the Ukrainian people, ” General Secretary of the UWC and Chair of the International Coordinating Committee for Holodomor Recognition, Stefan Romaniw OAM said today
“Declassified Government Archives now categorically prove and point to fact that Stalin’s Communist regime committed a crime against humanity, a blatant act of genocide against the Ukrainian nation” Mr Romaniw said
” As we look at the many horrific acts in the world at this very time, history lessons such as Stalin’s outright disrespect for human life needs to be remembered and learnt, so the same atrocities do not continue to be repeated” Mr Romaniw said
The UWC and the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) call on the Australian Parliament to pass a motion denouncing and condemning this act of genocide and to call on all Australians to acknowledge and commemorate the International Day of Remembrance, the last Saturday of November gazetted by the Ukrainian Government in respect of those who suffered and perished in the great famine of 1932-33.
“At this time we announce the UWC International Coordinating Committee for Holodomor Recognition and AFUO plans for the 80th Anniversary commemorations” Mr Romaniw said
- Initiate the collation of a Remembrance Book of all Holodomor survivors who still live or lived in Australia to add to the Volumes of Remembrance books in Ukraine
- Initiate the formation of the International Group of Children of Survivors and those who perished . The Australian contingent will join the international group who will travel to Ukraine next year to participate in international commemorations with a strong message –We will not allow our parents -grandparents plight to be forgotten. The flame burns on
- Continue to pressure the Government of Ukraine through its Permanent Representative in the United National to call on the UN to acknowledge the Holodomor as Genocide .
- Commence discussions with Australian schools to have the Holodomor included as a study in world history in Australian schools
- Conduct an International conference to place on the public record the facts rather than the old Soviet disinformation machine that continues to be pumped out by some Australian and other academics
“We call on the Australian and State Governments to pass resolutions on the Holodomor in the coming week and show international leadership and solidarity with the countries that have categorically condemned this atrocity.” Mr Romaniw said
“We need to stop being fence sitters and take a resolute position . That will show that Australia is serious when it introduces and supports laws that protect the human rights”. Mr Romaniw said
“We also call on all Australians to light a Candle of Remembrance on Saturday November 24, International Day of Remembrance in sign of respect but also as a reflection and commitment that we as individuals, we as a nation will not tolerate nor allow these atrocities against mankind to go without notice and condemnation.” Mr Romaniw said .
Further information :Contact Stefan Romaniw 0419531255
