March 8, 2016. OTTAWA – The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) issued the following statement on the eve of Freedom for Nadiya Savchenko Global Day of Support, which is being marked on March 9:
“On March 9, Russia’s illegal trial of Ukrainian Member of Parliament and delegate to the Parliamentary Assembly of Europe (PACE) Lt. Nadiya Savchenko is due to resume. On March 4, Savchenko declared a dry hunger strike (refusing both food and water) in protest of her illegal imprisonment in Russia and the court’s abrupt decision on March 3 to adjourn proceedings and refuse her the right to make a final statement.
Savchenko was serving in Ukraine’s armed forces in eastern Ukraine when taken hostage in June 2014 by Kremlin-backed terrorists and forcibly taken to Russia, where she remains illegally imprisoned. The illegal trial on fabricated charges of Nadiya Savchenko shows the Russian regime’s utter, cynical contempt for international law, due process and human rights.
Nadiya Savchenko has responded to her illegal imprisonment and prosecution with bravery, dignity and heroism. Her resistance to injustice is the embodiment of the determination of the people of Ukraine to defend their country against Russia’s brutal invasion.
The UCC calls on Canada and the international community to exert pressure on the Russian Federation to ensure the immediate, safe return to Ukraine of Nadiya Savchenko, and all other citizens of Ukraine illegally imprisoned by the Russian Federation.”
CALL TO ACTION
Please join rallies and demonstrations taking place in support of Nadiya Savchenko in Canada in the following cities:
DATE: March 8
City: Toronto
Date/Time: March 8, 12PM-7PM EST
Location: In front of Consulate of the Russian Federation, Toronto 175 Bloor St. E.
City: Montreal
Date/Time: March 8, 5:45 PM EST
Location: Philips Square
City: Vancouver
Date/Time: March 8, 6PM PST
Location: Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street
DATE: March 9
City: Toronto
Date/Time: March 9, 2 PM-6PM
Location: In front of the Consulate of the Russian Federation, Toronto 175 Bloor St. E.
City: Ottawa
Date/Time: March 9, 6:00 PM EST
Location: In front of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, 285 Charlotte St.
City: Edmonton
Date/Time: March 9, 7PM MST
Location: Churchill Square
City: Calgary
Date/Time: March 9, 6:30 PM MST
Location: Peace Bridge, Memorial Drive side
Please check the UCC website for updates on events in other cities across Canada
2.Please use #FreeSavchenko and tweet messages of support for Nadiya Savchenko
3.Please sign the Open Letter appealing to European leaders to “take emergency measures with the goal of the immediate and unconditional release” of Nadiya Savchenko. https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/free-savchenko-open-letter-to-european-leaders
