The Motion below was passed unanimously by Edinburgh Council
City of Edinburgh Council – 18 December 2008
Motion by Councillor Stefan Tymkewycz
Holodomor, the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33
To acknowledge both the national day of remembrance for the victims of the ‘Holodomor’ held on 22 November in Ukraine, and the National Holocaust Memorial Day which is held on 27 January to commemorate victims of the Holocaust and other genocides, Council is asked to note the events of the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33, (known as the Holodomor), which took place 75 years ago.
There are various estimates as to how many people died as a result of the famine with even conservative estimates placing the number of victims in the millions. Furthermore, there is a strong body of opinion that considers the events of the Holodomor to be a deliberate policy of Stalin’s regime. Council is asked to note the above.
Council also acknowledges the long established Ukrainian community in Edinburgh with their own Church in Leith, a community centre in Royal Terrace and, more recently, the Ukrainian Consulate in Windsor Street, and recognises the mutual benefit to both Edinburgh and Kiev from the twinning arrangement with the Ukrainian Capital City, since 1989.
Council agrees that the Lord Provost should send a letter of condolence to the Ukrainian Consul General to Scotland in memory of the victims of the Holodomor.
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COUNCILLOR STEFAN TYMKEWYCZ
10 December 2008