Genocide Archives

Assyrian Genocide Memorial Erected in France (750,000 Assyrians murdered by the Turks)

May 1, 2013 By administrator

(AINA) — A memorial to the Assyrian victims of the Genocide perpetrated against Assyrians, Greeks and Armenians in World War One by Ottoman Turks was erected yesterday in the town Arnouville, outside of Paris. The Genocide, which began on April 24, 1915 and lasted until 1918, claimed the lives of 750,000 Assyrians (75%), 500,000 Greeks and 1.5 million Armenians.

According to the Assyrian Genocide Research Center, “this is a historical day for the Assyrian nation, to commemorate the victims of the genocide and to point out the current atrocities brought upon the ancient St. Gabriel Monastery by the so called “modern” Turkey.”

The St. Gabriel Monastery, founded in 397 A.D., has been embroiled in a legal battle over its land, with the Turkish government attempting to seize the Monastery’s lands (full coverage). The Monastery is located in the Tur Abdin plateau near Midyat in the Mardin Province in Southeastern Turkey.

Paris is host to a large community of Assyrians, most of whom having arrived during and after World War One, to escape the Turkish genocide.

Armenian Church in Turkish Eruh city being converted into Islamic school

May 1, 2013 By administrator

12:00, 1 May, 2013

YEREVAN, MAY 1, ARMENPRESS: The historical Armenian Church Saint John, located in Dih District of Eruh city in Turkey, without any permission is being converted into an Islamic religious school for girls. As reported by Armenpress, quoting the Turkish Demokrathaber.net, this was announced by the representatives of the Siirt branch of the Human Rights Protection Company at the press conference.

“This is violence towards the religion and the right to live of the Armenian people. It is necessary to launch administrative and criminal investigation against the responsible people”, – said the representatives of the Company. One of the representatives of the branches of the Human Rights Protection Company Serdar Batur showed the corresponding photos and stated that the stones with Armenian encryptions and crosses are used to build other structures.

Another member of the Human Rights Protection Company Zana Aqsun spoke about the Armenian graves in Eruh-Siirt region, which are being discovered during the construction works of the roads. “During the works about 100 square meters of graves have been discovered. The villagers gathered the bones ad put them into their places. But the authorities have done nothing on that issue”, – said Zana Aqsun, highlighting as well the necessity to face the historical tragic events of 1915.

Pope Francis: Great powers “washed their hands” during Armenian Genocide

May 1, 2013 By administrator

12:28, 1 May, 2013

YEREVAN, MAY 1, ARMENPRESS: During the Holocaust the great powers “washed their hands”, as they knew more than talked about. They did not state that during the Armenian Genocide as well they “washed their hands”. As reported by Armenpress, quoting the Diario Armenia, this was stated by Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the current Pope of Rome Francis in the book “Sobre el Cielo y la Tierra”, published jointly with the Argentinean rabbi Abraham Skorka in 2010. The book was recently republished.

The Pope of Rome Francis noted that in the 20^th century they destroyed villages, considering themselves to be gods. “Turks did that with Armenians, Germans – with Jewish people, Stalin’s communists – with Ukrainians”.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio wrote: “If thinking about the paradise a person does not struggle for his rights, he is under the influence of opium. People, who overcame persuasion and massacres, as during the three largest genocides of the last century towards Armenians, Jewish and Ukrainians, struggled for their freedom”.

The book reveals the viewpoints of the Pope of Rome Francis about the church, religion and belief. It also touches upon atheism, death, abortion, Holocaust, homosexuality and capitalism.

ASUCR senators proclaim official day for Armenian Genocide

May 1, 2013 By administrator

13:47, 1 May, 2013

YEREVAN, MAY 1, ARMENPRESS: During the ASUCR senate meeting April 24, fourteen senators unanimously passed the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Resolution thereby establishing that day as the official Remembrance Day of Armenian Genocide on campus, reports Armenpress referring to Highlander.

Students from the Armenian Student Association (ASA) and the Armenian sorority Alpha Gamma Alpha (AGA) convened at the ASUCR senate meeting to petition for UCR’s recognition of the Armenian genocide that occurred from 1915 to 1923.

“By honoring the survivors and consistently commemorating and forcefully condemning the atrocities committed against the Armenian people with regards to the repetition of the crime of genocide, ASUCR encourages the awareness of such atrocity in order to prevent reoccurrence of the crime,” stated the resolution. “Therefore, let it be resolved that ASUCR 2012-2013 acknowledges the commemoration the 1.5 million Armenians who fell victims.”

(Australia) Parliament of NSW Recognizes Assyrian, Greek, Armenian Genocide

May 1, 2013 By administrator

May 1, 2013 – 13:13 AMT

On May 1, in a historically unprecedented move at the request of the Assyrian Universal Alliance, the Australian Hellenic Council and the Armenian National Committee of Australia, the Legislative Council of the NSW parliament passed unanimously a motion recognizing the Assyrian, Greek and Armenian genocides, AINA reports.

Mr. Hermiz Shahen, the Deputy Secretary General of the Assyrian Universal Alliance said; “this constitutes an extraordinary moment in the history of the Assyrian nation. The Assyrian nation is struggling for years to gain the International recognition of the genocide perpetrated against them by the Ottoman government under the leadership of a chauvinistic party, the Young Turk between1914 – 1923. This recognition will act as a powerful counter to those, especially in present-day Turkey, who still ignore or deny outright the genocides of the Ottoman Christian minorities. Assyrians in Iraq, Syria and Turkey are continuously paying the price as a consequence of the denial of their genocide.”

The motion reads that the NSW Parliament “joins the Assyrians, Armenians and Greeks communities of New South Wales in honoring the memory of the innocent men, women and children who fell victim to the first modern genocides.”

It “recognizes the importance of remembering and learning from such dark chapters in human history to ensure that such crimes against humanity are not allowed to be repeated.”

Collection of digital photos on Genocide prepared

May 1, 2013 By administrator

May 1, 2013 – 14:14 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian National Institute and Armenian Genocide Museum of America (AGMA) have prepared a collection of digital photos, maps and other documents about the Armenian Genocide.

The album mainly comprises digital photos, taken by photographers of German Empire and Austria-Hungary.

According to the director of Armenian National Institute, historian Dr. Rouben P. Adalian, the photos were mainly taken in Deir ez-Zor and in the territory of historic Armenia, particularity in the suburbs of Tigranakert, Yerznka and Erzurum.

“The fact that the photos were taken by soldiers of the allies of the Ottoman Empire makes their documentary value indisputable,” the author of the album, Mr. Adalian said.

The album is available in PDF format in the websites of Armenian Assembly of America and Armenian National Institute. According a museum trustee Van Krikorian, Armenian Americans are searching for new ways to raise awareness on Genocide ahead of the 100th anniversary of the tragedy, with new measures to be taken in the future.

Armenian Genocide commemoration at Pasadena City Hall

April 30, 2013 By administrator

Hundreds of Armenian Americans gathered under cloudy skies at the front steps of City Hall on the morning of Wednesday, April 24th, in Pasadena to commemorate the Armenian Genocide and calling for the official recognition of the atrocities committed by the Turkish Government on April 24, 1915, Asbarez reported.

A crowd of almost 500 Armenian Americans, community leaders, dignitaries and State Officials assembled for the event organized by the local chapter of the Armenian National Committee of America, where city officials from Pasadena, Sierra Madre and La Crescenta Town Council were present for the momentous occasion. Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca was among those officials who spoke and conveyed his heartfelt message at the event, as did Former State Assemblyman, Anthony Portantino and Pasadena City Councilmember Gene Masuda, who presented ANCA – Pasadena Chapter’s Chairperson, Shoghig Yepremian, the city’s official Armenian Genocide Commemoration Proclamation recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

ANCA – Pasadena Chapter Chairperson Shoghig Yepremian reminded those present of the day’s significance in the history of humanity and that this crime of genocide has gone unpunished for far too long and that the time has come to put things right.

ACF Member Hovig Saliba’s speech reminded the Armenian Community that there’s much work to be done and we as Armenians can never rest until reparations, restitution and the recognition of the heinous crimes the Turkish Government committed against the Armenians and Humanity is fully, utterly and unequivocally accounted for.

Former Pasadena Mayor and Chairperson of the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee, Bill Paparian took the podium and grabbed the crowd’s attention by saying, “The scars are not healed.” “We are still haunted by the emptiness that comes from losing entire families. When a loved one disappears, the disappearance lasts forever. Before former Mayor Bill Paparian concluded his remarks, he’d introduced the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee Members after which he introduced the Art Center student who designed the memorial, Catherine Menard.

Catherine Menard, the Environmental Design student at the Art Center College of Design, whose well-researched and brilliant design of the Armenian Genocide Memorial has taken the city by storm since she was the Design Panel’s pick out of 17 submissions. Catherine’s deep and sincere words expressed her feelings as she researched the genocide and atrocities the Turkish Government committed, even quoting the famous Armenian poet, Siamanto, whose words clearly had an impact on Menard as she prepared her award winning design.

Describing the Armenians, as one of the most “vibrant communities in Southern California,” Menard took on the challenge to come up with a masterful memorial design worthy of the accolades that have been bestowed upon it so far, so that it would find its place in Pasadena’s Memorial Park by the time the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide turns up on April 24th, 2015.

In the days leading up to the Armenian Genocide Commemoration on April 24th, The City of Sierra Madre City Council, at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 23, 2013, presented a Certificate of Recognition to the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) – Pasadena Chapter for the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

This is the first year that the City of Sierra Madre City Council has issued a proclamation declaring that the city acknowledges the April 24, 1915 atrocities perpetrated by the Turkish Government against the Armenian people, that as a community they stand together and join the Armenian community to memorialize their fallen ancestors, and to ensure that such horrible acts are not repeated ever again. John Harabedian, a current Council member, presented the proclamation to Shoghig Yepremian, the Chair of Pasadena Chapter ANCA.

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board, on April 23rd, 2013, also acknowledged the Armenian Genocide by adopting Resolution 2244, in part the resolution reads as follows:

Remembrance – Armenian Genocide, in which the Armenian Genocide is commemorated on April 24, the date in 1915 when the Turkish government arrested 200 Armenian leaders in Constantinople, thus beginning the wholesale slaughter, imprisonment and forced deportation of millions of Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.

PUSD Board President Ms. Renatta Cooper, board members and School Superintendent, John Gundry, were all present along with ANCA – Pasadena board members for the passing of the Resolution.

Armenian Genocide commemorated in Congress and in communities around the world

April 30, 2013 By administrator

From our nation’s Capitol and across America and the world, Armenians and non-Armenians alike commemorated the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian Assembly of America.

On Capitol Hill, under the leadership of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, co-chaired by Congressmen Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) and Michael Grimm (R-NY), scores of Members on a bi-partisan basis observed the 98th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with an evening program on April 24th.

With views of the Capitol in the background, the Armenian Genocide Observance took place on the top floor of the Senate Hart Office Building, and was held with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia and the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and in conjunction with Armenian American organizations, including the Armenian National Committee of America and the Armenian Assembly. Sarig Armenian, an attorney and a former congressional staffer, served at the Master of Ceremonies.

In addition to the Co-Chairs of the Armenian Caucus, the following legislators participated in the evening’s program: Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), along with Representatives Tony Cardenas (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Jim Costa (D-CA), Vice-Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus Joe Crowley (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Eliot Engel (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Janice Hahn (D-CA), Rush Holt (D-NJ), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), John Tierney (D-MA), Dina Titus (D-NV), and Niki Tsongas (D-MA).

“The Armenian Assembly appreciates the bipartisan, bicameral solidarity of our congressional friends,” stated Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “We will continue to raise awareness, fight against genocide denial and urge all people of goodwill to stand with us to ensure that genocide is prevented in the future.”

In addition to remarks by Members of Congress, the Republic of Armenia’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Tatoul Markarian and Nagorno Karabakh Representative to the United States Robert Avetisyan rounded out the program’s speakers. Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Legate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America gave the opening prayer, and the benediction was given by Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern United States.

Throughout the country from California to Maine and across the globe from Jerusalem to Argentina, communities paused to remember man’s inhumanity to man. In addition, the Administration sent officials to the Armenian Genocide commemorations held in Yerevan and Istanbul while in the United States, the Florida Senate passed its first resolution commemorating the Armenian Genocide.

In the week leading up to the Capitol Hill Commemoration, members of the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) held an Advocacy Day to discuss a number of key issues, including support for U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. The CEEC is comprised of 18 nationwide organizations, including the Armenian Assembly and represents more than 20 million Americans.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

Source: Panorama.am

Archbishop Aram Ateshyan told about concealed Armenians in Turkey

April 30, 2013 By administrator

11:07, 30 April, 2013

YEREVAN, APRIL 30, ARMENPRESS: The General Vicar of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, Archbishop Aram Ateshyan gave an interview to the Turkish Bugun TV channel, where he told about the concealed Armenians living in Turkey, the number of which makes about a million. As reported by Armenpress, the Archbishop Aram Ateshyan stated that those people were made to conceal their nation and become Muslims during the World War I, because of the well-known events, occurred to Armenians in the Ottoman Turkey.

“There are about a hundred thousand people in the present generation in Turkey, whose parents are Armenians and they are Muslims. They talk Armenian and wear a cross secretly. I cleared it out due to my personal contacts. They do not want to attend church, as it will reveal their identity. The liturgy held in the Saint Kirakos Church in Diyarbakir was attended by more than 400 people, half of which having Armenian roots. My family as well lives in Diyarbakir as Muslims. The sons of my elder sister also live in Diyarbakir. They accepted Islam under pressure in 1950.

My son-in-law was told if he does not accept Islam, he will be killed. I was born in 1954. When I was 4-5, my sister became a Muslim. Their children became Muslims as well. My sister wore her cross secretly and spoke Armenian. I lost them, as they did not attend our church and I could not christen them. Many of the concealed Armenians told about their being Armenians only before the death.

A 30-year-old man came to me and asked to christen him. I told him to prove his being Armenian and he could not. Then his father called me and asked to accept his son. He said that he worked in the municipality and when he retires, he will return to his roots. According to his son, 90% of the population of Tunceli are Armenians and now he is a member of our church”, – told the General Vicar of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, Archbishop Aram Ateshyan.

Author Peter Balakian speaks at Illinois Holocaust Museum

April 30, 2013 By administrator

April 30, 2013 – 09:33 AMT

Earlier this month, author Peter Balakian spoke to an audience of more than 250 people at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, a suburb of Chicago, and a town that is still remembered for the controversial march of neo-Nazi groups there in 1979, Asbarez reported.

The Museum is the second largest of its kind after the U.S. Holocaust Museum and Memorial in Washington, DC.

Balakian lectured for the occasion of the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide commemorated on April 24. He also commenced his work with the Museum as Senior Scholar for the Armenian Genocide exhibit it will mount in 2015 for the genocide’s 100th anniversary.

In his opening remarks, Museum Executive Director Rick Hirschhaut said: “Our young people – our future – must be a bridge to the future, and ensure that we realize the lessons that were set forth by us, by the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, and all such terrible atrocities. We must speak for those whose voices were silenced and for those who survived so we may remember and pledge never to forget. Today,” Hirschhaut continued, “at this gathering, we are reminded of a history that must be recognized, and remembered, and calls to the importance of lighting the torch of truth for the world community.”

Nairee Hagopian of the ANCA then introduced Balakian and expressed her gratitude to the Museum for initiating such an important and timely project.

Balakian thanked Hirschhaut and the Illinois Holocaust Museum for their leadership in partnering with the ANCA to build an Armenian Genocide exhibit for the 2015 anniversary, “a project,” he said, “that will serve as a model for others to come.”

Balakian also noted how crucial the ongoing support and intellectual work of the Jewish community has been, and continues to be, “from Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, Franz Werfel, and Raphael Lemkin to the work and support of so many superb scholars in our time including Elie Wiesel, Deborah Lipstadt, Robert Melson, Robert Jay Lifton, Andrew Goldberg, and many others, Jews who have made a decisive difference in clarifying our understanding of what happened to the Armenians in 1915.”

For the April 24 commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, Balakian then gave a lecture, “Raphael Lemkin, Cultural Destruction, and the Armenian Genocide.” He discussed Lemkin’s deep thinking about what happened to the Armenians in 1915 as a seminal case of genocide, noting how Lemkin’s intellectual commitment to what he came to call genocide was heavily influenced by his study of the Turkish mass killing of Armenians. It was Lemkin, he said, who first coined the term Armenian genocide in the 1940s, and explained the concept on a special CBS Television broadcast about the UN Genocide Convention, in February 1949. Balakian also explored how the destruction of Armenian culture (intellectuals and artists, churches, schools, libraries, forced conversions to Islam, etc.) constituted a key component of genocide.

In an extensive PowerPoint presentation, Balakian showed arresting images of magnificent, thriving Armenian churches before 1915, and those same churches, in Turkey, that are in ruins today. He concluded by observing that this kind of cultural destruction still has complex reverberations, and impacts on Armenians in Armenia, in the diaspora, and in Turkey.