*INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN RECALLING GENOCIDAL GREAT FAMINE LAUNCHED*

UCCLF - International campaign recalling genocidal great famine launched

(Ottawa, 16 November 2009)

An educational campaign recalling the Great Famine of 1932-1933 in Soviet Ukraine, known as the Holodomor, was launched today. Thousands of postcards are being sent to embassies and consulates internationally, urging governments to officially recognize that this famine was an act of genocide perpetrated by the Soviet regime of Joseph Stalin. Canada is one of the few countries that has already recognized the Holodomor as genocidal.

Drawing upon the writings of Dr. Raphael Lemkin, the "father of the [UN] Genocide Convention," who described the "destruction of the Ukrainian nation" as the "classic example of Soviet genocide," the Ukrainian Canadian Civil Liberties Foundation and partner groups around the world are mailing postcards featuring a pastel drawing of Lemkin and an excerpt from his 1953 speech "Soviet Genocide in the Ukraine," an effort timed to coincide with the annual day of mourning for the Holodomor's victims (28 November).

Commenting, Professor Lubomyr Luciuk, editor of Holodomor: Reflections on the Great Famine of 1932-1933 in Soviet Ukraine, said:

"Many millions of men, women and children suffered agonizing deaths in Soviet Ukraine in 1932-1933 during what was arguably one of the greatest acts of genocide to befoul 20th century European history. To this day there are Holodomor-deniers attempting to obfuscate what happened, continuing to cover up this Communist crime against humanity. This educational effort is therefore aimed at reminding governments everywhere that the father of the United Nations Convention on Genocide was personally convinced of the genocidal character of Soviet rule in Ukraine. We are also calling upon countries that believe in upholding the relevance of the UN Genocide Convention to officially recognize the truth of what happened during the Holodomor."


To contact Dr. Lubomyr Luciuk, please e-mail: luciuk@uccla.ca