In a statement marking Black Ribbon Day on August 23, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau honored the victims and survivors of the communism and Nazism that terrorized European nations.
“Today, together with people around the world, we pay tribute to the victims and survivors of communism and Nazism in Europe, and to all those still facing the violence and oppression of dictatorships. I vow to keep standing up. statement.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I encourage all Canadians to pay tribute to those who have suffered or lost their lives by past or present totalitarian and authoritarian regimes here in Canada and around the world. Together, we must continue to reject extremism, intolerance and oppression, while promoting human rights, freedom and democracy.”
Black Ribbon Day is officially the European Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Stalinism and Nazism, honoring the victims of Communism, Stalinism, Nazism and Fascism. August 23rd was chosen to commemorate the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression pact signed between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany in 1939. under their dictatorial rule.
“In Central and Eastern Europe, millions of people have suffered greatly under totalitarian regimes,” Trudeau said. “They were deprived of their basic human rights, driven from their homes and killed.”
“Many people who fled the Soviet and Nazi regime found new homes in Canada and have helped form the strong and diverse country it is today. It serves as a reminder that we have a responsibility to ensure that atrocities never happen again.”
“Listen to the Lessons of History”
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year, Prime Minister Trudeau reiterated Canada’s support for the Ukrainian people in a statement.
“This year, we are also in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, who continue to face brutal violence from Russia’s illegal and unjust expansionist war,” he said. Together with our allies and international partners, we will continue to support Ukraine and defend democracy and human rights everywhere.
Alexandra Chichizi, National President of the Ukraine-Canada Congress (UCC), an organization said to represent the interests of Canada’s Ukrainian community, was also released. statement to mourn the victims.
“The malevolent doctrines of Nazi Germany and Soviet communism, both of which made Ukraine and its people the target of conquest and annihilation, are still being targeted today by the Russian Federation, which is engaged in a genocidal war against Ukraine and its people. It continues,” Chichiji said.
“We must heed the lessons of history and ensure that today’s despotic dictators do not repeat the crimes of the past.”
Conservative MP and leader candidate Pierre Polivre said that under the totalitarian rule of communism and Nazism, “the worst part of humanity has been revealed”.
“Never forget the atrocities and suffering that always accompany tyranny,” he said on Twitter.
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Andrew Chen is a reporter for the Epoch Times based in Toronto.