Per-Kaare Holdal
Iowa has become the 33rd state in the United States to recognise the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide of the Ukrainian people.
Per-Kaare Holdal
The recognition text was voted through almost unanimously with 73 votes in favor and one against, and follows a similar resolution from the European Parliament in the EU last December.
Holodomor is the Ukrainian term for the famine that struck the Ukrainian Soviet Republic in 1932–33. International researchers believe that between 3 and 4 million people died during the famine, but other estimates vary greatly.
The Holodomor is seen by Ukrainian authorities as a deliberate act of genocide by Josef Stalin's regime. It happened during the collectivization of Soviet agriculture.
More than 20 countries recognize the Holodomor as genocide, including the United States and Germany. Earlier this year, the Norwegian government refused to recognize the Holodomor as a genocide.
Norway has rejected recognition of the Holodomor twice.
On 15 December 2022, two historic decisions were made in Norway. Lyngdal and Farsund municipalities both recognized that the Holodomor is a genocide. But the Norwegian state has rejected recognition of one of the world's genocides twice.
I myself was present in the municipal council hall in Lyngdal when the decision was made. With me were several Ukrainians, including a lady who started to cry. I was told that her aunt survived the Holodomor and could tell about the tragedies.
Both municipalities made similar decisions:
• We recognize the Holodomor as genocide in that an estimated 7 million Ukrainians starved to death as a result of Stalinist policies in 1932-33
• We appeal to other municipalities in Norway and the Norwegian state to do the same
Per-Kaare Holdal
The British Parliament has recognized the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide of the Ukrainian people.
Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, announced this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.
Per-Kaare Holdal
In analyzing this subject, Holodomor, it is compelling to take into account the lapse of time, the lack of legislation at the time, the weakness of international law, and the current improbability of punishment.
Per-Kaare Holdal
According to the report, the declaration was supported by all parliamentary parties except for the left – 67 votes in favor and 8 against. The leader of the parliamentary group of social democrats, Jani Prednik, stated that Holodomor was one of the greatest humanitarian catastrophes and crimes against humanity in the 20th century.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude on Twitter: “Grateful to the Slovenian parliamentarians for adopting a declaration honoring the memory of millions of victims of the Holodomor genocide in Ukraine in 1932-1933.”
“The international coalition of countries committed to historical justice continues to grow. Together – towards truth and responsibility!” the president added.