Canadian Speaker Apologizes for Recognizing WWII Ukrainian Veteran with Nazi Ties
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The speaker of Canada's House of Commons Anthony Rota, issued an apology following his recognition of 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka, a Ukrainian veteran, during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the Canadian parliament.
In his speech on Friday, Rota celebrated Hunka as both a Ukrainian and Canadian veteran and praised him as a war hero who had served in the First Ukrainian Division, fighting for Ukrainian independence against Russian aggressors, CNN reported.
"I have subsequently become aware of more information which causes me to regret my decision to do so," Rota stated in a statement released by his office on Sunday. He further expressed his deepest apologies, particularly to Jewish communities in Canada and around the world.
The recognition of Hunka, who served in a Nazi military unit known as the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, has sparked condemnation from various human rights and Jewish organizations. B'nai Brith Canada, a Jewish human rights organization, noted that Hunka received a standing ovation from members of Parliament and senators in attendance.
Michael Mostyn, CEO of B'nai Brith Canada, strongly criticized the recognition, stating that it is "beyond outrageous" and stressing the importance of not whitewashing history. Mostyn pointed out that Canadian soldiers had fought and sacrificed their lives to free the world from the brutality of Nazi crimes.
The 14th Waffen Grenadier Division was part of the Nazi SS organization, which was declared a criminal entity by the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg for committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.
B'nai Brith, in its statement, condemned the Ukrainian volunteers who served in the military unit as "ultra-nationalist ideologues" with aspirations of an ethnically homogenous Ukrainian state and support for ethnic cleansing.
The human rights organization expects an apology from the Canadian parliament for the recognition of Hunka.
Rota took full responsibility for acknowledging Hunka, emphasizing that no one, including fellow parliamentarians and the Ukrainian delegation, was aware of his intention or remarks before he delivered them. He explained that the initiative was entirely his own, as Hunka is from his electoral district.
