The Speaker of the House of Commons of the Canadian Parliament, Anthony Rota, has apologized for calling on MPs to honor a World War II veteran and former member of the Nazi WaffenSS division that took part in the Holocaust .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenki visited Ottawa on Friday (September 22nd) and took part in a special session of the Canadian Parliament on this occasion. During this session, Rota announced to those present that there was a “Ukrainian hero” in the audience and referred to 98yearold Yaroslav Hunka, who received a standing ovation.
He was introduced by Rota as “a UkrainianCanadian World War II veteran who fought for Ukrainian independence against the Russians.” Those present at the meeting who applauded Hunka included Zelenskiy and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
It later emerged that Hunka had served under Nazi command against the Soviets and was part of the 14th Grenadier Division of the WaffenSS, according to the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC).
The Center for Holocaust Studies criticized the honor in a statement: “The FSWC is appalled that the Canadian Parliament would give a standing ovation to a Ukrainian veteran who served in a Nazi military unit during World War II and was involved in the mass murder of Jews gave.” others. An apology and explanation are due.”
Zelenski and Trudeau applauded Hunka when he was announced in ParliamentPhoto: Patrick Doyle/The Canadian Press/AP Photo/picture Alliance/dpa
During World War II, when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union, some Ukrainian nationalists joined Nazi units. The Waffen SS was involved in mass murders and provided guards for Nazi concentration camps.
His divisions took part in campaigns in Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Ukraine, as well as in the Nordic, Balkan and Baltic countries. In 1945, the WaffenSS numbered 900,000 men, many of them recruited from citizens loyal to the Nazi regime in other European countries.
Rota regrets decision
Rota stated that he took “full responsibility” for his actions and had organized the honor singlehandedly. “I would like to apologize especially to the Jewish communities in Canada and around the world,” he said in a statement on Sunday evening.
“In my comments after the President of Ukraine’s speech, I honored a person in the stands. I later learned more information that makes me regret my decision.”
Rota apologized to the Jewish community. Photo: Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via ZUMA Press/Picture Alliance
Canadian broadcaster CBC said it tried to contact Hunka to comment on the episode but was unsuccessful. Trudeau’s office also said in a statement that Rota’s apology was “the right thing to do” and that the prime minister and the Ukrainian delegation received no prior notice of the invitation or honor for Hunka.
The Kremlin criticized the honor
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022 and Moscow labeled the Kiev leadership neoNazis, an accusation that was ridiculed by the international community.
Moscow used the incident in the Canadian parliament to support the narrative pushed by Russian President Vladimir Putin that he invaded Ukraine to “demilitarize and denazify” the country, a democracy whose president is Jewish and whose family members are in the Holocaust were lost.
The Russian government released a statement Monday calling the Canadian parliament’s tribute to Hunka “outrageous.” According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the episode showed a “neglect” towards the memory of World War II. In addition, Moscow is currently fighting against fascism, which is “trying to find its place in the center of Europe, in Ukraine.”
bl/av (Portal, DPA, ots)
The month of September in pictures
Check out some of the most important events of the month.
general.image.copyright_prefix Evaristo Sa/AFP
Thousands are leaving the enclave in Azerbaijan for Armenia
Thousands of ethnic Armenians left NagornoKarabakh for Armenia after Azerbaijan consolidated control of the longdisputed enclave with a rapid military push. The escape caused queues at gas stations and major traffic jams on the road connecting the region with Armenia. (09/25)
general.image.copyright_prefix ALAIN JOCARD/AFP
When the marathon becomes chaos
Before the important Berlin Marathon this Sunday, athletes who don’t take themselves too seriously completed their traditional inline skating marathon the day before. To liven up the event, some dressed up in the most eccentric ways, from Superman to a Danish farm girl. The victory went to the Colombian Gabriela Rueda and the Belgian Jason Suttles neither of whom is in the photo. (09/24)
general.image.copyright_prefix Maurizio Gambarini/FUNKE Photo Services/IMAGO
Protests against police violence in France
Tens of thousands took to the streets of France on Saturday to protest against systemic racism, allegations of police violence and growing social inequality that particularly affects residents of peripheral areas. The organizers estimated the number of participants at 80,000, the government spoke of around 31,000. (09/23)
general.image.copyright_prefix Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty Images
Pope warns against “fanaticism of indifference” towards migrants in Europe
During a visit to the French city of Marseille, Pope Francis called on European governments to commit to rescuing migrants and allow actions by NGOs operating in the Mediterranean. He condemned the “paralysis of fear” and the “disinterest that condemns others to death with kid gloves.” “It is a duty of humanity and civilization,” he warned. (09/22)
general.image.copyright_prefix Alessandro di Meo/AFP/Getty Images
STF rejects theory on time frame for indigenous territories
By a vote of 9 to 2, on the day the 1998 Constitution was promulgated, the ministers of the Federal Supreme Court declared invalid the regulation that would limit the delimitation of indigenous territories to the areas they occupied. “It is a result that defines the future of the delimitation of indigenous territories in Brazil,” celebrated the Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara. (09/21)
general.image.copyright_prefix Ueslei Marcelino/Portal
Zelenski and Scholz in New York
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has a busy agenda during the UN General Assembly in which he is making extreme efforts to win support for his country, which has been under attack by Russia since February 24, 2022, as he was “powerless”. , he met with numerous leaders. In the photo next to Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. (09/20)
general.image.copyright_prefix Michael Kappeler/dpa/picture Alliance
At the United Nations, Lula calls for reform of international organizations
President Lula used his speech to the United Nations General Assembly to reiterate that Brazil has abandoned the isolationism that characterized the four years of his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro. Lula also once again called for reform of international organizations, especially the UN Security Council. The speech marked Lula’s return to the UN stage after a 14year hiatus. (19.09.)
general.image.copyright_prefix TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
Iran and US conduct historic prisoner exchange
Five American citizens imprisoned in Iran left the country and ended up in Doha, Qatar, as part of a historic prisoner exchange between Washington and Tehran. As a concession, Iran received the release of five Iranians imprisoned in the United States and the transfer of $6 billion in the country’s funds frozen abroad due to sanctions imposed by Washington. (18.09.)
general.image.copyright_prefix Lujain Jo/AP/picture Alliance
Climate activists spray paint on the Brandenburg Gate
Environmental activists sprayed orange and yellow paint on the pillars of the Brandenburg Gate, one of Berlin’s main monuments. At least 14 people were arrested by police. The campaign was carried out by the group Last Generation, which is calling on the federal government to take more drastic measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (17.09.)
general.image.copyright_prefix Paul Zinken/dpa/picture Alliance
South Africa holds state funeral for Zulu leader
Thousands of mourners attended the funeral of Zulu leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi in South Africa. Buthelezi, a veteran politician, prince of the Zulu people and controversial figure during apartheid, has died aged 95. During the funeral, members of the public attended a stadium in the town of Ulundi wearing traditional Zulu costumes made from animal skins. (16.09.)
general.image.copyright_prefix Rajesh Jantilal/AFP/Getty Images
Bolsonaro’s former handyman gave the expresident jewelry money “in hand,” the magazine says
According to a report by Veja, Mauro Cid, Jair Bolsonaro’s former aide, confessed to federal police that he transferred $68,000 for the sale of two luxury watches that he gave to the thenpresident during his trip abroad. Bolsonaro had previously said he knew nothing about the deal and denied receiving any funds. (15.09.)
general.image.copyright_prefix Geraldo Magela/Agencia Senado
STF announced the first convictions for attempted coups on January 8th
The court sentenced three defendants to prison terms of between 17 and 14 years, as well as a fine and compensation for the crimes listed in the list of criminal organization, coup d’etat, violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, qualified damage to Union property and deterioration of property Invasion of the Three Powers in Brasília. More than 200 other cases are awaiting judgment. (14.09.)
general.image.copyright_prefix Joedson Alves/AA/picture Alliance
STF begins trial of those accused of January 8 coup attempt
The STF began the trial of the first defendant involved in the coup attempt of January 8, 2023, when extremists attacked and destroyed the headquarters of the Three Powers in Brasília. The defendants are accused of a coup, armed criminal organization, violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, damage to property and deterioration of listed property. (13.09.)
general.image.copyright_prefix Adriano Machado/Portal
Play sports as God created them
At La Casa de Campo park in the Spanish capital Madrid, runners have taken the extreme step to beat the unbearable summer heat. And they gave up everything except shoes, socks and the odd hat. (13.09.)
general.image.copyright_prefix Oscar del Pozo/AFP
Thousands dead and missing in floods in Libya
Heavy rains caused dams above the city of Derna to fail, a spokesman for the group that controls the east of the divided country said. Witnesses say the water level reached three meters. In Tripoli, authorities appealed to the international community for help. Storm Daniel had already passed through Greece the previous week and left entire villages under water. (11.09.)
general.image.copyright_prefix AA/Picture Alliance
Brazil will take over the presidency of the G20 at the end of the summit in India
The adoption was symbolic, as the country officially adopted the position on December 1st. Lula announced that, in addition to reforming international governance institutions, combating inequality, hunger and climate change must be a priority. The final declaration of the event was not very ambitious from an ecological point of view, and there was no strong criticism of Russia. (10.09.)
general.image.copyright_prefix AFP
An earthquake kills more than a thousand people in Morocco
More than 1,800 injured, around 1,200 seriously. A magnitude 6.8 earthquake had its epicenter near the tourist city of Marrakech, whose historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was also damaged. The shock was also felt in neighboring Algeria and even Portugal. (09.09.)
general.image.copyright_prefix Saouri Aissa/Xinhua/IMAGO
Germany reaches record number of 3.26 million refugees
According to the A Esquerda party, this is the largest contingent since the 1950s. The data is from June 2023 and includes refugees, asylum seekers and tolerated persons (people whose asylum has not been recognized but who cannot be deported for certain reasons). The situation is attributed, among other things, to the war in Ukraine and loosening immigration laws. (08/09)
general.image.copyright_prefix DW
President Lula attends the September 7 military parade in Brasília
The day before, the government fired Sports Minister Ana Moser to accommodate a Centrão ally: federal deputy André Fufuca (PPMA), who supported the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff (PT). The change was criticized by Moser, who spoke of an “abandonment” of sport in the country, and by government supporters who called without success for the appointment of a woman to the next vacancy in the STF. (07/09)
general.image.copyright_prefix Ricardo Stuckert/PR
Mexico’s Supreme Court decriminalizes abortion across the country
Mexico’s highest judicial body has removed the practice of abortion from the federal criminal code and declared punishment for the procedure unconstitutional. The Supreme Court ruled that criminalizing the practice “constitutes a violation of the human rights of women and people with the ability to conceive.” (06/09)
general.image.copyright_prefix Jose Luis Plata/Portal
Thousands of people are homeless in Rio Grande do Sul and dozens are dying after the region suffers heavy rains
The passage of another extratropical cyclone through the south of the country caused flooding and killed at least 41 people in the RS leading to the worst natural disaster in the state’s history, according to Governor Eduardo Leite. The town of Muçum (photo) in the Taquari River valley was one of the hardest hit towns. There are dozens more missing and more than 10,000 homeless or homeless. (05/09)
general.image.copyright_prefix DIEGO VARA/Portal
“I’m looking forward to the memes,” says Olaf Scholz as he appears with an eye patch
Chancellor Olaf Scholz published a photo in which he can be seen wearing an eye patch after a fall at the weekend. He had bruises and scratches on the right side of his face. He posted the picture on his X Network (formerly Twitter) account and wrote: “Thanks for the well wishes. It looks worse than it is! I’m looking forward to the memes,” he added. (04/05)
general.image.copyright_prefix Steffen Kugler/dpa/Bundesregierung/picture Alliance
70,000 people isolated at US festival after rain
More than 70,000 people were left isolated in the desert in the US state of Nevada after storms and floods swept through the area, turning the site of the Burning Man counterculture festival into a sea of mud. The day after the rains, no one could get in or out of Black Rock City, the “town” built for the festival every year. (03/09)
general.image.copyright_prefix Trevor Hughes/USA TODAY/IMAGO
India launches probe to explore the sun
India has successfully launched a rocket with a probe to explore the sun. The Asian country’s space agency’s first solar mission marks a new achievement for India’s space program. Days earlier, India became the first country in the world to land on the south pole of the moon. The AdityaL1 probe will be positioned 1.5 million kilometers from Earth to record solar activity. (02/09)
general.image.copyright_prefix Seshadri Sukumar/Zuma/IMAGO
Paris bans escooter apps
A ban on the shared use of electric scooters has come into force in Paris. The decision was made in a referendum in April. Proponents of the measure point to these vehicles as causing accidents and claim that they obstruct sidewalks. According to rental app companies, the device was used by 400,000 people in 2022. (01/09)
general.image.copyright_prefix Joly Victor/ABACA/Picture Alliance
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