Awarding of the title of Hero of Ukraine to Yaroslav Stetskó

18.4.2019

Question for written answer E-002090-19
to the Commission
Rule 130
Javier Couso Permuy (GUE/NGL)

The Ukrainian MP, Ihor Mosiichuk, who is a member of Oleh Lashkó’s Radical Party and known for his neo-Nazi past, put forward a proposal in the Ukrainian Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, suggesting that the title of Hero of Ukraine be posthumously awarded to Yaroslav Stetskó, the leader until his death in 1968 of the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). Stetskó worked with the Nazis during the occupation of Ukraine and made clear in his memoires that he was in favour of exterminating Jews.

1. Does the Commission consider this debate in the Verkhovna Rada to be in harmony with the so-called European values of respect for minorities and the memory of the tragedy of the Second World War?

2. Given that in 2010, the European Parliament deplored the decision to grant Bandera the title of ‘National Hero of Ukraine’ (P7_TA(2010)0035, Point 20), will the Commission adopt a similar stance in this case?