Following Ukraine Holodomor debates in the Westminster Hall on November 7 we have received an official explanation of the UK Government position regarding this tragedy which says that the British authorities have no intention to join other 17 nations and recognize Holodomor in Ukraine as genocide.

The Government states that the Holodomor pre-dates the 1948 UN Convention on Genocide which established genocide as a concept in international law and international law cannot be applied retrospectively. In addition, the British side says that even the international law could be retrospectively applied, it is unlikely that there is any living individual in a position to be held responsible for the events of the Holodomor. Thus, the Government doubts the prospect of initiating the consideration of the case in the International Criminal Court and other similar tribunal.

The Government confirms the possibility to prosecute genocide crimes in the UK in certain circumstances but, regretfully, has no plans to initiate an inquiry or judicial process regarding the Holodomor.

We are glad that the UK Government recognizes the severity and awfulness of Holodomor as well as the responsibility of the Soviet leadership for the policies and political decisions taken which resulted in the famine causing the deaths of millions of Ukrainians.

At the same time, we regret that the UK Government has no plans to make a political decision or initiate an inquiry/judicial process which could lead to recognition of Holodomor 1932-1933 in Ukraine as genocide.

We will keep on putting our efforts to bring the truth about Holodomor-genocide in Ukraine to the British society. In addition to the debates on Holodomor in the UK Parliament on November 7, the issue was raised in the National Assembly of Wales on November 16 and will be discussed in the Scottish Parliament on January 10, 2018.