Italy recognizes Holodomor as genocide of Ukrainian people
Italy recognizes Holodomor as genocide of Ukrainian people (Getty Images)
The Senate of Italy has officially recognized the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as a genocide against the Ukrainian people, according to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak.
"I welcome the Senate of Italy's recognition of the Holodomor as genocide. Calling things by their names is the key to preventing the repetition of terrible crimes," emphasized Yermak.
He also expressed gratitude to Italy for its robust and diverse support of Ukraine "in the struggle for a better future and the restoration of justice."
"Victory over Russian evil and historical justice is what should happen," Yermak added.
Why it is important
During 1932-1933, the Soviet authorities orchestrated an artificial famine in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, recognized the Holodomor as a genocide against the Ukrainian people back in 2006.
With the onset of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, the question of recognizing the Holodomor as genocide gained momentum in several countries. Declarations acknowledging the genocide have already been adopted by the parliaments of the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Slovenia, Belgium, Ireland, Romania, Moldova, Czechia, Germany, Iceland, France, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, and Croatia.
The independent international commission tasked with investigating events in Ukraine, under the auspices of the United Nations, faced challenges in gathering evidence of the genocide of Ukrainians following Russia's extensive invasion.
However, more than 30 countries have joined Ukraine's lawsuit against Russia in the United Nations court for violations of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
