September 28, 2023
2 mins read

Trudeau apologises for honouring Nazi veteran

Canada Prime Minister said what happened was “deeply, deeply painful” to Jewish people and the many millions who were targeted by the Nazi genocide….reports Asian Lite News

On behalf of Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has apologised for honoring a Ukrainian man in Parliament who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.

In a statement on Wednesday, Trudeau said: “This is a mistake that deeply embarrassed parliament and Canada,” the BBC reported.

“All of us who were in this House on Friday regret deeply having stood and clapped even though we did so unaware of the context… It was a horrendous violation of the memory of the millions of people who died in the Holocaust.”

He said what happened was “deeply, deeply painful” to Jewish people and the many millions who were targeted by the Nazi genocide.

Trudeau also apologised directly to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was visiting Canada and present in Parliament at the time of the incident on September 22, saying: “Canada is deeply sorry.”

Zelensky was among those pictured applauding the 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka, who had served in the 14th Waffen-SS Grenadier Division, a voluntary unit made up mostly of ethnic Ukrainians under Nazi command.

The Division members have been accused of killing Polish and Jewish civilians, although the unit has not been found guilty of any war crimes by a tribunal.

In the Canadian Parliament, Hunka got a standing ovation and was praised as a Ukrainian and Canadian “hero”.

Trudeau’s apology comes a day after Parliament Speaker Anthony Rota, who has assumed responsibility for inviting the veteran, resigned, saying he was not aware of Hunka’s Nazi ties.

“The Speaker was solely responsible for the invitation and recognition of this man, and has wholly accepted that responsibility and stepped down,” the BBC quoted the Prime Minister as saying in his statement on Wednesday.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation.

Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada’s opposition Conservative Party, called the incident the “biggest single diplomatic embarrassment” in Canada’s history.

Canadian Jewish organisation Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies has said “questions remain as to how this debacle occurred”.

The debacle has also played into Russia’s accusations that Ukraine is run by neo-Nazis, even though Zelensky is himself Jewish.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed outrage about the Canadian honour and said: “Many Western countries, including Canada, have raised a young generation that does not know who fought whom or what happened during the Second World War.”

ALSO READ: Canada Parliament Speaker Quits After Praising Ukrainian Nazi Veteran

Previous Story

India’s UN Ambassador Vows to Speak Up for Afghan People

Next Story

Jaishankar sharpens attack on Canada

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan FM Due in Bangladesh

During his visit Dar will hold discussions with the Foreign Affairs Advisor Towhid Hossain and also call on Muhammad Yunus…reports Asian Lite News Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar

Balochistan: Where the State Makes People Disappear

The victims include students, journalists, and peaceful protesters, many of whom were abducted from cities such as Karachi and Islamabad….reports Asian Lite News A human rights organisation on Monday revealed that 785

Monsoon Havoc in Pakistan

Since June 26, torrential rains have killed at least 299 people—including 140 children—and injured 715 in Pakistan…reports Asian Lite News Since June 26, torrential monsoon rains have devastated Pakistan, killing at least

Bangladesh’s Dark Turn

With the Awami League outlawed and absent from the electoral fray, a vacuum has emerged — one that has not necessarily been filled with stability….reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh’s political landscape has
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Trudeau accuses Russia of weaponising energy, food  

Trudeau called on Russia to completely and immediately withdraw its

How Khalistan is Forcing Trudeau’s Hand on India Row

Trudeau’s Liberal Party depends on the Jagmeet Singh-led New Democratic