The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) condemns the liquidation of the Library of Ukrainian Literature (Library) in Moscow which has been the subject of an ongoing campaign of persecution by governing authorities of the Russian Federation.
UNIAN news agency reported on 21 April 2018 that the sign had been removed from the building, the website shut down and the building itself was transferred to the city’s Department of Sport to accommodate the Centre for Tourism Development in Moscow.
Repressive actions against the staff, searches and interrogations of Library patrons, and the conviction on 5 June 2017 of Director of the Library Nataliya Sharina to a four years’ suspended sentence on politically motivated charges have forcefully contributed to the final quiet closure of the Library. The last two librarians were dismissed on 1 March 2018.
“The Ukrainian World Congress appeals to the international community including human rights organizations to respond accordingly to the unacceptable actions of the Russian Federation with prompt action to protect the human and national minority rights of the Ukrainian minority in the Russian Federation,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
