MEDIA RELEASE

13 October 2008

For Immediate Release

INTERNATIONAL REMEMBRANCE FLAME

STOPPED WITH SCARE TACTICS

It has been confirmed that Ukrainian community activists in Orenburg, Tumen, Ufa, St. Petersburg and Krasnodar have been subjected to undue pressure and scare tactics by government officials in the region resulting in the cancellation of planned events.

Russia was the next scheduled stop on the itinerary of the International Remembrance Flame – a symbol which has traveled through 29 countries since April of this year.  Events in conjunction with the arrival of the Flame honour the millions of victims of Stalin’s deliberate attempt to eradicate the Ukrainian nation through starvation. The Flame will be received in Ukraine in November for nation-wide commemorations.

The international Ukrainian community is appalled by Russia’s continuing disregard for basic human rights, among them freedom of speech and expression.  Ukrainians in Russia, as in every other country of the world, have every right to maintain their national identity with respect for history, culture and traditions.  In 2008, the fact that such rights are so easily dismissed, is unacceptable.  Russia must understand that the global community will not tolerate such actions which clearly demonstrate that the country has not shed its past. 

The Congress urges every citizen of every democratic country to join the Ukrainian community in this protest.  Contact the Russian Embassy in your country. Let them know that human rights abuses in 2008 will not be tolerated.  Let them know that, this time, the world is paying attention.

For further information contact    Stefan Romaniw +61419531255