VOA标准英语2014--Ukrainians Memorialize Protesters Killed in Kyiv 乌克兰人在基辅中央广场纪念示威死难者

 

Ukrainians Memorialize Protesters Killed in Kyiv 乌克兰人在基辅中央广场纪念示威死难者

Thousands of Ukrainians gathered in Kyiv's central square Sunday to honor the memory of protesters killed during February clashes with police. Authorities have yet to charge anyone for the deaths, but Ukraine's up-and-coming politicians say they will face justice.

Ukraine’s capital witnessed a solemn occasion on Sunday as Ukrainians marked 40 days since scores of their compatriots were gunned down in central Kyiv.

Their demand for Moscow-leaning president Viktor Yanukovych to step down was met with brutal² force, including snipers, before he fled to Russia.

Ukrainians came to honor the more than 100 killed, almost all of them civilians³, said Kyiv resident Svitlana.

“We are here today to honor the memory of our heroes who died because it is such a tragedy. Days are passing, but the pain does not pass. And this will remain with us forever,” said she.

But there is also anger at the weak, interim⁴ government's failure so far to prosecute⁵ anyone for the deaths or scores of others who are still missing.

An older Kyiv resident, who did not give her name, expressed her frustration⁶.

“We have a huge anger. I cannot [even] say how much [I am angry]. We cannot wait until they are caught and punished,” said she.

There must be rule of law, says Kyiv mayoral candidate, and world boxing champion, Vitali Klitschko.

“We are asking this question, why are they not caught, all those who did criminal acts? Why until today this has still not been done? There are great expectations,” said Klitschko.

Punishing those responsible will be a top priority if he is elected, says presidential front-runner Petro Poroshenko.

“They should be punished quickly but impartially⁷ and according to justice procedures. I have no doubt that all those who raised a hand against the Ukrainian people, those who shot and killed Ukrainian patriots¹, all who gave those orders, should face justice,” said Poroshenko.

Moscow's claims that the uprising was a fascist⁸, anti-Russian coup⁹ that helped divide public opinion as it separated Crimea from Ukraine.

A priest called on Russians to stop listening to Kremlin propaganda and to come see Kyiv for themselves.

 

They prayed for peace hoping that those who gave their lives in Ukraine's unfinished revolution did not die in vain.

1 patriots   

爱国者，爱国主义者( patriot的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Abraham Lincoln was a fine type of the American patriots. 亚伯拉罕·林肯是美国爱国者的优秀典型。
• These patriots would fight to death before they surrendered. 这些爱国者宁愿战斗到死，也不愿投降。

2 brutal   

adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的

参考例句：

• She has to face the brutal reality.她不得不去面对冷酷的现实。
• They're brutal people behind their civilised veneer.他们表面上温文有礼，骨子里却是野蛮残忍。

3 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

4 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

5 prosecute   

vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官

参考例句：

• I am trying my best to prosecute my duties.我正在尽力履行我的职责。
• Is there enough evidence to prosecute?有没有起诉的足够证据？

6 frustration   

n.挫折，失败，失效，落空

参考例句：

• He had to fight back tears of frustration.他不得不强忍住失意的泪水。
• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。

7 impartially   

adv.公平地，无私地

参考例句：

• Employers must consider all candidates impartially and without bias. 雇主必须公平而毫无成见地考虑所有求职者。
• We hope that they're going to administer justice impartially. 我们希望他们能主持正义，不偏不倚。

8 fascist   

adj.法西斯主义的；法西斯党的；n.法西斯主义者，法西斯分子

参考例句：

• The strikers were roughed up by the fascist cops.罢工工人遭到法西斯警察的殴打。
• They succeeded in overthrowing the fascist dictatorship.他们成功推翻了法西斯独裁统治。

9 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。