Ukrainians in US and Australia to go on one-day hunger strike in support of Sentsov

"The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the largest representation of 1.5 million Americans of Ukrainian descent, calls upon the Ukrainian-American community and our friends around the world to express their solidarity with Oleg Sentsov by participating in a one-day hunger strike this Wednesday, June 13, on the eve of the FIFA World Cup in Russia," reads the statement of the UCCA.

As noted, to amplify Sentsov’s message beyond his prison cell, UCCA has chosen June 13 for a solidarity hunger strike because it is “on the eve of the FIFA World Cup, the world’s second largest sporting event, which is being held this year in Russia.”

 “Sentsov’s illegal incarceration is another example of violation of human rights, the contravening of international standards and principles, yet internationally Governments stand idle and reward Russian with such an international event as the World Cup” said Chairman of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations Stefan Romaniw.

 “An initiative of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and supported by the Ukrainian World Congress it will aim to send message internationally that while Mr. Sentsov, and the over 60 Ukrainian political prisoners who languish in Russian prisons, President Putin will be hiding behind the World Cup while these and other atrocities such the Russian aggression in Eastern Ukraine, the annexation of Crime continue,” reads the AFUO statement.

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