Petition Regarding the Canadian Museum for Human Rights

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress has been circulating a petition asking the Canadian government to ensure that the Holodomor of 1932-33 (Great Famine in Ukraine) receive prominent attention among the content of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The text of the petition is below.

Additional information can be obtained from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress:


Ukrainian Canadian Congress HQ
203-952 Main Street
Winnipeg, MB R2W 3P4
Phone  204 942 4627
Fax 204 947 3882
www.ucc.ca

THE PETITION:


TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED

Petition for equity and fairness at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Whereas, the Government of Canada has recognized fundamental human rights in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; and

Whereas, the Government of Canada is providing over $100 million in capital funding for a national museum for human rights in Winnipeg and an additional $22 million in annual operational funding; and

Whereas, the Government of Canada has recognized in legislation the Ukrainian Great Famine (Holodomor) of 1932-33 as an act of Genocide against the Ukrainian people; and

Whereas, the Government of Canada has recognized the internment operations against the Ukrainian community during the First World War; and


Whereas the report of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights recommends only 2 permanent galleries one for the Holocaust and on for aboriginal peoples; and

Whereas, the Content advisory committee did not include the testimony of dozens of witnesses who testified at its hearings about the importance of including the Holodomor and Canada's First National Internment operations of 1914-1920 in its exhibits; and

Whereas the museum has indicated that unlike the Holocaust and indigenous suffering, the Holodomor will not be prominently and permanently recognized, but rather will be included in a gallery alongside other mass atrocities; and

Whereas, Canada's First National internment operations will not be given a permanent exhibit; and

Therefore, we humbly pray and call upon Parliament to ensure that the Holodomor and Canada's First National Internment Operations are permanently and prominently displayed at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in its galleries.