Semantics have become an issue for a monument, approved by the National Capital Commission, to be built in the Garden of the Provinces across from the National Archives of Canada.
Initially proposed to commemorate the victims of communism, the memorial has encountered a maelstrom of criticism over exactly what it commemorates.
Proposed by Carolyn Foster of the organization “Tribute to Liberty,” the monument is intended to commemorate the more than 100 million people murdered or oppressed in countries ruled by communist governments.
However, the fact that the original name only recognizes those that suffer under communist regimes has drawn the ire of both communists and those that have suffered under different ideologically inclined regimes.
Last September, the National Capital Commission only approved the $1.5-million monument by adding the word “totalitarian” and the subtitle “Canada land of refuge” to the monument’s name, making it “Memorial to victims of totalitarian communism: Canada land of refuge.”
Despite these changes there are still those that think the monument could be more inclusive.
“I would suggest as comprehensive monument as possible. All of the suffering isn’t just under communism. People all over the world are suffering under different kinds of repression, some countries are called democratic and yet people are still suffering,” said Tin Maung Htoo, of Friends of Burma.
He said that tens of thousands of people have died under right-wing regimes in southeast Asia and South America and they should be commemorated for their commitment to democracy as much as anyone fighting communism.
“Burmese people, especially people who have sacrificed their lives for democracy, would be very happy to see a monument to recognize their sacrifices, to recognize what they are trying to do,” said Maung Htoo.
Burma has been ruled by a brutally repressive military junta since 1962.