In Memory of the Victims of Holodomor 1932-1933

Throughout Saturday, people gathered on Maidan in Kyiv, in Lviv and other Ukrainian cities to remember the millions of men, women and children in Ukraine and Kuban who were starved to death during the man-made famine known as Holodomor 1932-1933.  Remembrance ceremonies have also taken place in other countries this weekend. 

Ukraine and at least 12 other countries recognize Holodomor 1932-33 as genocide.  The European Parliament called it "an appalling crime against the Ukrainian people, and against humanity". 

Unfortunately, Russia’s leaders over recent years have decided that if Russia calls itself successor to the Soviet Union, this means continuing the latter’s lies and aggressive denial of Holodomor.  Books about Holodomor were added to the Russian List of ‘Extremist’ Texts back in 2012, and now even a pivotal work by Rafael Lemkin, who first used the term ‘genocide’, has just been added to the List (as no. 3, 151).  Kremlin-backed militants in Donbas have followed suit, even deciding to dismantle the Memorial to the Victims of Political Repression and Holodomor in Snizhne (Donetsk oblast), claiming such a move to be aimed at the “reinstatement of historical justice”.  

Please join in honouring  -  with your thoughts, your prayers and your candles  - the victims of a monstrous crime. 

It is now 83 years since Holodomor and the third year that Ukrainians have been forced from their homes in Crimea and Donbas.  Others are living under Russian or Kremlin-backed militant occupation, also in desperate need. 

There are many initiatives endeavouring to help people whose lives have been torn apart.  If you can, please help. 

Photo: RBK