Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for anti-racism initiatives, has issued the following statement to mark Holodomor Memorial Day:

“Every November, British Columbians join people around the world in remembering and honouring the memory of the millions of Ukrainians who perished in the Holodomor, one of the most horrific tragedies of the 20th century.

“Between 1932 and 1933, the Soviet regime deliberately engineered a devastating famine in Ukraine. Entire villages were starved, families were torn apart and communities were destroyed in an attempt to suppress Ukrainian identity and independence. This atrocity came to be known as ‘the Holodomor,’ a word that means ‘killing by starvation.’

“Make no mistake, this was a calculated act of genocide that was denied for decades, leaving survivors to carry the burden of these horrors in silence. It took resilience, courage and persistence to get the world to recognize this crime against humanity. That is why every year on Holodomor Memorial Day, we reaffirm our commitment preserving the memory of what happened so that we can try to make sure it never happens again.

“Unfortunately, shades of this tragedy continue to echo across the world today. That is why this year, I urge everyone in British Columbia to really take time to learn more about this atrocity enacted upon innocent men, women and children. Let us celebrate the vibrant Ukrainian community here in B.C. and honour the memory of those who were killed by recommitting ourselves to upholding our most sacred values – human rights and justice for all.

“We continue to stand with all Ukrainians and Ukrainian Canadians. May the victims of the Holodomor rest in peace.”

Learn More:

In 2019, Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day was officially designated as a day of remembrance in British Columbia. For information about Holodomor, visit: http://holodomor.ca/holodomor-basic-facts/

For information about how to support Ukrainians through United Way British Columbia, visit: https://uwbc.ca/campaign/ukraine/