Kansas 38th US State to recognize Armenian Genocide 

 WASHINGTON -  Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius issued a proclamation marking the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, making the Kansas State the 38th U.S. state to go on record recognizing this crime against humanity.Governor Sebelius went on to "salute the modern nation of Armenia, and Armenians everywhere."

The Netherlands recognises Armenian Genocide

The Hague, 21 December 2004 - the Armenian Federation announces with satisfaction that today the Dutch Parliament has adopted unanimously a motion concerning the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Armenian community has been insisting at the Dutch Parliament and the government on recognition of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 for many years. Especially last year, in the run-up to and during the Dutch presidency of EU, the 24 April Committee of the Armenian Federation has persistently campaigned to bring the Armenian question under the attention of the Members of Parliament and the Dutch public.

The motion was introduced during the debate on the outcome of the European Summit of last Friday in connection with the start of accession negotiations with Turkey. In that debate  nearly all fractions asked the government about the absence of the Armenian Genocide issue in the Presidency conclusions. This in spite of commitment by among others France and the European Parliament and also by Dutch Foreign Minister Bot himself, who ensured the Dutch Parliament that the Armenian question has always been brought up at the meetings with the Turkish colleagues. The majority of the Parliament Members had asked to pay attention to this point.

In the motion adopted by the Parliament the government is asked “ to bring up the recognition of the Armenian Genocide continuously and expressly in the dialogue with Turkey”.

This motion has been introduced by the Chairman of Christian Union fraction Mr. Rouvoet and supported by all other political parties in the Parliament.
 

A safer future for every national, ethnic, racial or religious group.

A safer future is what we all want and this is what the IIGHRS Campaign 2005 is all about, as genocide and the gross violation of human rights around the world continues to occur at an alarming rate, with Darfur in crisis as we speak. Consider the record of genocide in just the last 100 years, accounting for tens of millions of deaths.

  • 1) 1904           Herero of Southwest Africa

  • 2) 1915-23      The Armenians

  • 3) 1932-33      Forced Famine in Ukraine

  • 4) 1939-45      The Poles

  • 5) 1942-45      The Jews of Europe

  • 6) 1942-45      The Roma of Europe

  • 7) 1950s         The Aché of Paraguay

  • 8) 1971           Bangladesh

  • 9) 1975-79      Cambodia

  • 10) 1981-83    Maya of Guatemala

  • 11) 1994         Rwanda

  • 12) 1991-95    Bosnia

  • 13) 1999         Kosovo

  • 14) 1999         East Timor

  • 15) 2004         Darfur

The need for genocide education is urgent.

The need for a comprehensive educational program devoted to the importance of human rights and the prevention of genocide is urgent. The Genocide and Human Rights University Program provides the educational building blocks for developing a new generation of specialists to address the continuing threat of genocide, including the conditions under which genocide is likely to take place, the warning signs of impending violence, and suggested ways in which genocide can be prevented. The program uses the Armenian Genocide as the archetypal point of reference to compare genocides.

No single step will change the world, but our view is that one of the most effective means to end the slaughter of so many millions is for states to expand their concept of national interest to include the prevention of genocide. The arguments for this are both humanitarian and prag-matic. Genocide leads to the outflow of huge numbers of refugees and economic disruption. These costs are far greater than the cost of early intervention. One of the goals of those active in genocide and human rights studies is to persuade policy makers to redefine national interest. Human rights are everybody’s business, not only those who have been persecuted.

Please consider a generous gift to the GHRUP to train a new generation of scholars and help create a world that embraces universal human rights and shuns genocide as a political tool. Please send your contribution to the scholarship fund made payable to “The Zoryan Institute” and do visit our web site, www.genocidestudies.org, for more information. We gratefully thank you in advance for your support.

 

Another Recognition



Bratislava -  After a long debate and despite Turkish pressure, Slovakia has recognized the Armenian Genocide. With the help of the Armenian community, some parliament members brought the issue into the house. With 71 with, 50 neutral and zero against voices, this new member country of the European Community recognized the Armenian Genocide

37th US State to Recognize Armenian Genocide

US state Vermont Governor James H. Douglas issued a proclamation last week on the 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, specifically marking April 24, 2004 "Armenian Martyrs Day," bringing the total number of states to have properly recognized this crime against humanity to 37. The proclamation notes, "since 1915, April 24th of each year has been imprinted in the memory of the Armenian people worldwide, for it was then that the mass genocide of the Armenian people began in the Ottoman Turkish Empire." It goes on to cite the importance of marking this tragedy, stating that "recognition of the 89th anniversary of this genocide is crucial to guarding against the repetition of future genocide and educating people about the atrocities connected to these horrific events."

PRESS RELEASE

 

The Armenian Community in Sweden paid homage to the memory of victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915

Stockholm, 02/05/04 - On April 24, 2004 in Uppsala, Sweden the Armenian Community of Sweden and many foreign representatives paid homage to the memory of the victims of Armenian Genocide. Many came to Uppsala from far cities to take part in the commemoration soiree, organized by the Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden, Swedish Armenian organizations and the Swedish Church. The commemoration ceremony took place in the main church of Uppsala.  

The bells of this wonderful church rang to the memory of the victims of the Armenian genocide and the Armenian flag fluttered over Uppsala from the eminent highness of the church. The anthem of the Republic of Armenia was performed and the service was given to the repose of victims. The service was followed by a concert. The public admired the recitals of Arpine Zakhinian with the piano accompaniment of Lilit Soukiassian, the performances of Karine Sedrakian, Karine Gevrogyan, Swedish singer Annette Taranton and the duduk of Hayk Hakobian. Sting Lundstrom the Swedish poet recited his poems dedicated to Armenian people, and Jan Gustavson performed the Armenian traditional song “Krunk” on his trumpet.

Goran Gunner, professor at Faculty of Baptist Theology in Stockholm and honored worker at the research department of the Swedish Church, author of the book ”Nostalgia for Ararat” reminded the public of the bitter historical truth and the wishes of the Armenian people aspiring to justice.

Garo Hakopian the chairman of the Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden and Assembly of Armenians of Europe made a speech on the subject “the present and the past”. He noted “to forget the past means not to see the present, not to see the present means not to have future. We believe that our people, in spite of all difficulties will create brighter future. “

Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden

 
 
ANOTHER 3 US STATES ACKNOWLEDGED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net  - Tennessee, Nebraska and Louisiana have joined the fast growing number of states who have acknowledged the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey. The Governors of these states issued proclamations citing a "Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide," referring to the fact of mass elimination of the Armenian population by the Young Turk Government in 1915-1923. Thus, the total number of states in the U.S. reaffirming the Armenian Genocide has now reached 36. The step by the leadership of the three states emphasizes the ultimate futility of Turkish efforts to distort the facts about the Genocide of Armenians. It should be noted that in the course of the last month, five new states have issued proclamations marking April 24th as an official Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.

 

 

 

 

 

COUNTY OF BERGEN

MEDIA RELEASE

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

JON K. THOMSEN, DIRECTOR

PHONE (201) 336-6337 * FAX (201) 336-7304

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 28, 2004

Contact: Jon Thomsen

jthomsen@co.bergen.nj.us

 

BERGEN COUNTY EXECUTIVE McNERNEY COMMEMORATES 89th ANNIVERSARY

OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Bergen County executive stands beside john shahdanian, post commander of knights of

vartan, bakradouny lodge 38 as he addresses the audience near the bergen county courthouse.

Hackensack, NJ – Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney recently commemorated the 89th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at a ceremony held outside the Bergen County Courthouse. 

“As it is with other tragic events, whether 9/11 or the Holocaust, we reflect on past crimes against humanity so that we may prevent future atrocities,” McNerney stated at the event. “Today we honor the memory of the nearly 2 million Armenian men, women and children who were killed during the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and call upon all people to renew their resolve that people everywhere are able to live without fear, in freedom and in peace.”

The event was held near the Armenian Genocide Memorial monument, which was erected in July 1990 by the Knights of Vartan, Bakradouny Lodge No. 38.  During the event, McNerney issued a proclamation declaring April 24, 2004 as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in Bergen County. 

 

 

 

ADIAN PARLIAMENT RECOGNIZES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

WebPosted Wed Apr 21 22:39:42 2004

OTTAWA--- The House of Commons has reversed a long-standing policy and
passed a resolution denouncing the Turks for committing genocide against
Armenians in 1915.

        The vote passed easily, 153-68.

The motion said: "That this House acknowledges the Armenian genocide of
1915 and condemns this act as a crime against humanity."


Armenian Canadians hold a vigil after the vote

        For decades consecutive Canadian governments have dodged the
        sensitive issue by calling what happened in eastern Turkey a
        "tragedy," stopping well short of referring to the events as
        "genocide."

        In 1915, during the First World War, Turkish troops put down an
        Armenian uprising. Armenians say about 1.5 million people were
        killed by the Ottoman Turks, during a brutal eight year campaign.

        Turkey has always fought attempts by Armenians and international
        human rights organizations to have the events declared a
        genocide. Previously, Ankara has warned countries contemplating
        similar action that there would be negative consequences. In some
        cases business contracts have been held up or denied.

        In 2001 France backed the Armenian case. Ankara responded by
        freezing official visits to France and temporarily blocking
        French companies from competing for defence contracts.

        The U.S. dropped a similar resolution a year earlier after the
        White House warned it could hurt U.S. security interests.

Before Wednesday's vote in Parliament, Foreign Affairs Minister Bill
Graham issued a statement saying "Canada has had friendly and co-
operative relations with Turkey and Armenia for many years. The
Canadian government is committed to make these relationships even
stronger in the future."

Wales Armenia Solidarity

Paregamutioon Ooels-Hayasdan

Press Release

Tel:   01286871218       eilian.cynfor@virgin.net

We are happy to announce that for the first time in the United Kingdom a County Council has passed a motion recognising the truth of the Armenian Genocide, and also calling on Turkey to end her economic blockade of Armenia.

This happened today, thursday, March 4th at the Gwynedd County Council. The motion was put forward by Dafydd Iwan (President of the Plaid Cymru Party) in response to requests from Wales -Armenia Solidarity. The vote was unanumous in favour, with councillors from The Labour Party, The Liberal Democrats, Independent Wales Party , Councillors of the Independent group as well as the majority Plaid Cymru Councillors supporting the motion

          The voice of Wales on international issues has not been heard for a very long time. On 30th October 2002,at the instigation of Wales-Armenia Solidarity,and with the support of CRAG,London, the majority of the Members of the National Assembly of Wales signed a similar Declaration of Opinion to this week’s motion. Also our Prime Minister Rhodri Morgan recognised the genocide in a personal capacity at the Temple of Peace, Cardiff on 24th April 2001. This is however the first time that any elected body in Wales or the UK has voted to recognise the truth of the Genocide

  We are endeavouring to persuade all local authorities ion Wales to support the statement below, so that the voice of Wales will be perfectly clear

“Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh serve as inspirations for all small nations who have previously been silenced,  and it is the sacred duty of nations like Wales to make their voice heard on these issues” said a spokesperson for Wales-Armenia Solidarity "We hope that this will result in the re-emergence of a bond of frienship between our two nations. (A Wales-Armenia Society existed in 1896). We hope to estasblish a cultural exchange in the future.

We obviously condemn the offensive comments of the British Ambassador in Armenia questioning the definition of the Armenian Genocide

Contacts in Armenia are most welcome

This is the wording of the motion

 “Gwynedd Council:

`1      recognises the truth of the Genocide of the Armenians that occurred under the Turkish government in 1915

2        Calls on Turkey to end its economic blockade of the Republic of Armenia

3        Call on the government of Britain and the National Assembly of Wales not to support Turkish entry into the European Union until the Turkish government has recognised the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and has ended its economic blockade of Armenia”

4        Call on the Local authorities of Wales to support this declaration.