The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) expresses deepest condolences on the passing of Levko Lukyanenko – prominent Ukrainian community and state activist, writer, dissident, long-term Soviet political prisoner and indomitable fighter for the independence of the Ukrainian state, who passed away on 7 July 2018 after a lengthy illness.
The death of Levko Lukyanenko is a great loss for not only the family and friends of the deceased, but the entire over 20-million strong Ukrainian diaspora united by the UWC.
For the global Ukrainian community Levko Lukyanenko is a stellar example of commitment to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people: despite a death sentence and over one quarter century spent in harsh Soviet camps for his Ukrainian nationalist views, including his involvement as a founding member of the Ukrainian Helsinki Group, Levko Lukyanenko always remained true to his ideals. Along with other political prisoners, Levko Lukyanenko was the subject of numerous appeals by the UWC for freedom to governments worldwide and international human rights organizations, specifically in the framework of its Madrid conference in defence of human rights. The Ukrainian diaspora also remembers Levko Lukyanenko as an active participant of the re-establishment of Ukrainian independence, which was his dream as a co-author of the Act of Proclamation of Independence of Ukraine and a nation-builder, particularly in his role as a Member of Parliament of Ukraine.
For his accomplishments in support of the Ukrainian nation and Ukraine, Levko Lukyanenko was recognized with various awards, and most notably the highest honors – Hero of Ukraine designation and Taras Shevchenko National Prize.
The leadership and membership of the UWC share the painful grief of the family and all close friends of Levko Lukyanenko and pray for the repose of his soul.
Memory eternal!
