Winnipeg, MB
As the Mayor of Winnipeg, I would like to express my support to the people of Ukraine around the world who are concerned about human rights and the future of Ukraine’s political, economic and social development.
I am proud that there are over 110,000 people of Ukrainian descent who call Winnipeg their home. Many of them have relatives in Ukraine who are affected by the current situation in their country. I was troubled by the recent media reports about police brutality on individuals who were expressing their desire to integrate into the European Union in Kyiv's Maidan Nezalezhnosti and throughout other cities in Ukraine.
I support the decision by the Government of Canada and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress to condemn the use of violence by Ukrainian authorities against peaceful protesters last weekend.
I would like to emphasize my support for human rights in Ukraine from the heart of Canada where the new national Canadian Museum for Human Rights will be opened less than a year from now.
I sincerely hope citizens’ voices will be heard and respected by the Ukrainian authorities.
Yours Sincerely,
Mayor Sam Katz