Edmonton’s Ukrainian community keeps close eye back home as violence escalates

EDMONTON – Edmonton’s Ukrainian community is keeping a close eye back home, as violence in the country escalates.

“It’s tough seeing what’s happening there,” said Olesia Luciw-Andryjowycz, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council.

Protests began in late-November, when President Viktor Yanukovych backed away from a pact that would deepen the former Soviet republic’s economic ties with the European Union. Since then, protesters have occupied Kyiv city hall, turning it into a makeshift dormitory and headquarters.

“This is not a fight to knock off somebody that has been a good leader for the country. This is somebody that has ran Ukraine down. He’s corrupted, he’s robbed Ukraine. This is not right. Let the people choose,” Luciw-Andryjowycz said.

“They are all for the same: a free, democratic Ukraine.”

READ MORE: Massive anti-government rally takes to the streets in Ukraine

Protests had been mostly peaceful, until last week when the president approved controversial anti-protest legislation aimed at quashing anti-government demonstrations.

“Yanukovych, earlier this week, imposed legislation against protest, against wearing helmets, against more than five people being together, restrictions on how many cars can travel together. Things that are totally against human rights,” Luciw-Andryjowycz said.

READ MORE: Ukraine’s president approves controversial anti-protest legislation

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been keeping a close eye on the situation. On Saturday, he made a mid-flight statement to the media shortly after his plane took off from Amman, Jordan, en route to Ottawa following his visit to the Middle East.

“Our government is concerned by the growing political conflict and violence in Ukraine,” Harper said. “At the same time, we understand that this violence is occurring because the majority of the population is very worried by the steps taken by their government that very much remind them of an anti-democratic and Soviet past.”

READ MORE: Stephen Harper concerned about escalating violence in Ukraine

The Canadian Government will call for an emergency debate on the issue when Parliament resumes next week.

Luciw-Andryjowycz — a first-generation Canadian — still has family in Ukraine. And as the violence continues, she says she can’t help but feel somewhat helpless.

“We know many people have lost limbs. We know people have lost their eyes… but the kids, the parents that are out there fighting have said they’ll be out there until the end.

“For us Ukrainians to look back at what’s happening now, we just shake our head and we thank God for the democracy and the independence and human rights we have here in Canada.”

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With files from Cheryl Oates, Global News and The Associated Press.