Ukrainian government is still seeking for justice
Unlike the the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg (“Nuremberg Tribunal”) set up to defend the justice of Holocaust victims, the issue of the Holodomor has been silently set aside by international organizations until it is covered with dust. Holodomor remains a controversial topic since different countries have different perceptions on the idea of "genocide".
Countries like Russia believed that the Holodomor is not a genocide. Non-Ukrainians are also involved in this conflict and the purpose behind the Holodomor is to improve the economic of an underdeveloped nation. The measures have been used might be extreme but the cause is reasonable. Therefore, the Holodomor cannot be defined as a genocide since it does not target on a specific race. Most of the international organizations during the Stalin period have held similar view with countries like Russia on the topic of Holodomor in today. The lack of a proper, clear definition for "genocide" has led to them silently watch the atrocity carrying out its full cycle. Consequently, those organizations decide to not interfere with political decisions of a sovereign country, especially countries like Russia which decide to remain closed to the outside world. Moreover, the Holodomor has taken place 15 years before the creation of the United Nations Genocide Convention. Therefore, countries do not have enough influence and power to stop the genocide occurring in another country. Ultimately, Joseph Stalin does not encounter any strong, initial oppositions. The ignorance of international humanity organizations allows the dictator to carry out and expand his plans freely and swiftly.
The issue of Holodomor has finally seen a possible turning point after almost 80 years since the inhumane starvation. The Joint Statement on the Great Famine of 1932-1933 in Ukraine (Holodomor) signed by the delegations of 25 countries (including Canada, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the United States of America) on November 10, 2003 at the United Nations in New York marked a milestone on the international recognizing Holodomor as a serious crime against humanity. The UN has also made the following promises,
“Expressing sympathy to the victims of the Great Famine, we call upon all Member States, the United Nations and its special agencies, international and regional organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations, foundations and associations to pay tribute to the memory of those who perished during that tragic period of history."
Nonetheless, since this declaration is a compromise between the Russian government and its oppositions, the word "genocide" is not mentioned at all. Furthermore, despite the moral outrage of the international community, no strong actions are taken against the Russian government. For example, no steps are taken to require or force the government of Russia to make restitution to the Ukrainian people for their immense material and human losses. Victims of the Holodomor can only seek for help and financial aids from organizations that are not related with the Russian government.
The Ukrainian government is still seeking for justice for Holodomor victims. Ukrainians believe that it is a must for Russian government to accept the Holodomor as genocide.
"The Holodomor was deliberately organized by Stalin's regime, and must be condemned publicly by the Ukrainian society and the international community as one of the largest--in terms of the number of victims--genocides in the world."
Leonid Kuchma President of Ukraine (1994-2004)
Countries like Russia believed that the Holodomor is not a genocide. Non-Ukrainians are also involved in this conflict and the purpose behind the Holodomor is to improve the economic of an underdeveloped nation. The measures have been used might be extreme but the cause is reasonable. Therefore, the Holodomor cannot be defined as a genocide since it does not target on a specific race. Most of the international organizations during the Stalin period have held similar view with countries like Russia on the topic of Holodomor in today. The lack of a proper, clear definition for "genocide" has led to them silently watch the atrocity carrying out its full cycle. Consequently, those organizations decide to not interfere with political decisions of a sovereign country, especially countries like Russia which decide to remain closed to the outside world. Moreover, the Holodomor has taken place 15 years before the creation of the United Nations Genocide Convention. Therefore, countries do not have enough influence and power to stop the genocide occurring in another country. Ultimately, Joseph Stalin does not encounter any strong, initial oppositions. The ignorance of international humanity organizations allows the dictator to carry out and expand his plans freely and swiftly.
The issue of Holodomor has finally seen a possible turning point after almost 80 years since the inhumane starvation. The Joint Statement on the Great Famine of 1932-1933 in Ukraine (Holodomor) signed by the delegations of 25 countries (including Canada, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the United States of America) on November 10, 2003 at the United Nations in New York marked a milestone on the international recognizing Holodomor as a serious crime against humanity. The UN has also made the following promises,
“Expressing sympathy to the victims of the Great Famine, we call upon all Member States, the United Nations and its special agencies, international and regional organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations, foundations and associations to pay tribute to the memory of those who perished during that tragic period of history."
Nonetheless, since this declaration is a compromise between the Russian government and its oppositions, the word "genocide" is not mentioned at all. Furthermore, despite the moral outrage of the international community, no strong actions are taken against the Russian government. For example, no steps are taken to require or force the government of Russia to make restitution to the Ukrainian people for their immense material and human losses. Victims of the Holodomor can only seek for help and financial aids from organizations that are not related with the Russian government.
The Ukrainian government is still seeking for justice for Holodomor victims. Ukrainians believe that it is a must for Russian government to accept the Holodomor as genocide.
"The Holodomor was deliberately organized by Stalin's regime, and must be condemned publicly by the Ukrainian society and the international community as one of the largest--in terms of the number of victims--genocides in the world."
Leonid Kuchma President of Ukraine (1994-2004)