British Columbia recognizes Holodomor as genocide

British Columbia, the westernmost province of Canada, has recognized the Holodomor man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine in 1932-33 as the genocide against Ukrainian people.

As an Ukrinform correspondent reports, a corresponding bill received unanimous support in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia at third final reading.

"The purpose of this bill is to commemorate the millions of Ukrainians and other people who died during the Holodomor as well as to remind about the Holodomor and other crimes against humanity," reads the wording of the bill.

The bill was submitted for consideration to the Legislative Assembly by leader of the Green Party of British Columbia Andrew Weaver. It took less than a week for MPs to approve the document.

The bill will come into force as soon as it is approved by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia which is expected on Thursday.

According to the document, the fourth Saturday in November in British Columbia is declared the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor).

Canada recognized the Holodomor as an act of genocide at the state level in 2008. Since then, the country commemorates Holodomor Victims Memorial Day every year. At the provincial level, Holodomor has been recognized in six of Canada's 13 provinces and territories.

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