One of the biggest atrocities in world history occurred in Ukraine between 1932 and 1933, when millions of citizens were intentionally starved to death. The Canadian government has unanimously recognized Holodomor, as it has come to be known, as an act of genocide.

Along with our government, I have committed to remember and raise awareness of that shameful period in history. Only by doing so can we remain vigilantly on guard against future similar atrocities.

The Canadian government has designated the fourth Saturday of each November as Ukrainian Famine and Genocide Memorial Day. The day chosen is intentionally close to November 11, when we remember and commemorate the sacrifices of Canadian troops and our allies. As we recall how they gave their lives to preserve our values, rights and freedom, we must also remember what can happen when those very things are denied.

When the end of Ukraine’s long period of oppression was achieved in 1991, Canada was the first Western nation to acknowledge their new status.

In 2007, at UNESCO, Canada co-sponsored a motion to honour the millions slain during Holodomor, and to acknowledge the cause of their deaths as the actions of the cruel and totalitarian regime led by Josef Stalin.

During his 2010 visit to Ukraine, Prime Minister Harper laid a symbolic pot of grain at the National Holodomor Monument, and spoke strongly in defence of human rights; something our government is dedicated to promoting in Ukraine and around the world.

Canada remains committed to Ukraine’s success in nurturing a stable and prosperous democracy. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has worked to strengthen Ukraine’s electoral system and our government is working towards a free trade agreement between our two countries.

Those actions, under our Conservative government, are a natural outgrowth of the long friendship between Canada and Ukraine, one that has greatly strengthened our country. We remain committed to maintaining those strong ties.      

Earlier this fall, the House of Commons hosted a delegation of bright young Ukrainian political science interns, one result of the agreement between Canada and Ukraine to assist youth travel and work between the two countries. My conversations with these youth indicate there are still a great many challenges facing Ukrainians today.

This November 26th, I urge you to remember the 78th anniversary of Holodomor. Only as we rededicate ourselves to protecting the inalienable human rights of every person, can we become empowered to take action against heinous violations of those rights in the future.

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The audio version of Garry's Nov. 21, 2011 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here