UCC on CMHR Doublespeak

Winnipeg - On January 19, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress addressed some of the inaccuracies being reported with regard to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

 “We are disappointed with both the tone and timing (on Ukrainian Christmas Eve - January 6) of the statement from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights responding to described misconceptions in the media,” stated Ukrainian Canadian Congress President Paul Grod. “We appreciate the assurances made by Mr. Stuart Murray [CEO of the Museum] that the Holodomor will be clearly, distinctly and permanently displayed…”

Myth:  The Museum has promised a permanent and prominent gallery for the Holodomor that will be a distinct and separate [zone], comparable to other zones such as the Holocaust or Aboriginal zone.

Fact:   There is no expressed intention on the part of the Museum to set up a permanent zone dedicated to the Holodomor, or for that matter, to Canada’s First National Internment Operations.  Both topics may be treated as subjects in other galleries.

Myth:  Content and layout of the Museum has not been finalized.

Fact:  In a recently issued Tender for Media and Technology Services (dated January 10, 2011), the Museum’s content is presented in the scope of services.  Furthermore, purchasing commitments are being made on that basis. 

Myth:  Equating the Holodomor and other genocides to the Holocaust lessens the power and significance of the Holocaust, by characterizing it as just one among many ‘nationalist’ crimes against ethnic minorities.

Fact:  There is significant pedagogical value of having both the Holocaust and the Holodomor displayed equitably and comparably in the Museum.  Historians such as Timothy Snyder (in Bloodlands) have noted, the methods that Stalin’s Communists first developed in Ukraine and elsewhere in the Soviet Union were in fact the prototypes of Nazi methods of extermination. 

The Museum should attempt to set out the known facts that point to those who have escaped attention and responsibility for [other] crimes against humanity. In this respect, there can be no clearer modern example than telling the Ukrainian Holodomor story distinctly, to ensure people are informed and can appreciate the brutal nature of Joseph Stalin, [Communism and] the Soviet regime, responsible for mass genocides, crimes against humanity and other massive human rights violations.  

Alexandra Chyczij, Chair of UCC’s Human Rights Task Force, stated “The UCC is committed to seeking fair and equitable treatment for victims of the Holodomor and other crimes of Communism whose stories risk being hidden away. We call upon the Museum management to cease all procurement processes that impact the content or layout of the Museum until it is publicly presented and vetted through an objective and transparent process.”

 The Canadian Museum for Human Rights has received over $130 million from the federal, provincial and municipal governments and is scheduled to continue to receive at least $22 million in operating funding in perpetuity to be funded by Canadian taxpayers.