Turkish student: For first time in my life, I felt guilty towards Armenians

April 25, 2013 By administrator

Ermenihaber.am news website presents the story of a Turkish student which was also published on several Turkish websites. In the story, Baris Mumakmaz told how much things changed in his worldview after he learnt Armenian.

Below we present the main part of the article.

“People decide to learn a foreign language for different reasons. Some do it for business, others for fun or for getting acquainted with girls. I did it for “feeling.” I was working on my Master’s thesis on conflict resolutions in Boston in 2009 when I decided to study the Armenian cause. I was informed about the Armenian cause but I felt as if it was insufficient and I decided to learn Armenian. I decided to attend Armenian language classes.

“Hello, Baris,” a woman told me in native Turkish on the first day when I came to classes. “My name is Anahit. You are welcome to Armenian classes.” For a moment I thought I was dreaming, but I understood everything later, when I knew that Anahit was a descendant of an Armenian who fled the Armenian massacres for America in 1915.

I was doing well in classes. At one of the final lessons, Anahit told us to make up sentences with the Armenian names we knew. I mentioned all Armenian names I could recall – Hrant, Rachel, Nora, Sevan, Sayat.

Anahit got surprised and asked how I can know those old-style Armenian names. Then I told them about Constantinople. I told them what happened on January 19 and that HRANT is not an old-style name in Turkey. I told them how a great number of people who felt pangs of conscience took to the streets chanting: “We all are Hrant Dink.”

Everybody was looking at me thinking “he will speak out this time.” But I was not able to tell them that I acknowledge the events of 1915 as genocide, that I share their pain, though as a student who studied conflicts I knew what to say to the aggrieved party. But I could say nothing just because for a moment I felt so guilty that my tongue failed to move. For the first time in my life, as a Turk, I felt guilty towards the Armenians.

The classes finished and for a long time I could not work on the Armenian cause. I was shocked. I understand it now that I had to feel the shock to be able to understand many things.”

“Turk that committed Genocide is now killing Hrant Dink” – Iranian Armenians stage protest in Tehran (Video)

April 25, 2013 By administrator

The Iranian Armenians, approaching the Turkish embassy, shouted such slogans as “Look at the face of the Turk that committed Genocide and is now killing Hrant Dink, hold up your fist and let them hear our voice from behind closed windows.”

Then they chanted “Death to fascist Turkish government” in Persian.

A declaration condemning the Armenian Genocide was read at the end of the protest.

Source: Panorama.am

PACE delegates call to recognize Armenian Genocide

April 25, 2013 By administrator

April 25, 2013 | 11:24

Several delegates of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe signed a joint declaration, calling to recognize the 1915 Armenian Genocide. They said recognition will lead to the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Turkey.

The full text is provided below:

“Recognition of genocides is an act which contributes to the respect for human dignity and the prevention of crimes against humanity;

The fact of the Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Empire has been documented, recognised, and affirmed in the form of media and eyewitness reports, laws, resolutions, and statements by the United Nations, the European Parliament and Parliaments of the Council of Europe member States, including Sweden, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Switzerland, France, Italy, Belgium, Greece, Cyprus, the Russian Federation, as well as the US House of Representatives and 43 US States, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, Canada, Uruguay and Lebanon.

The undersigned, members of the Parliamentary Assembly, call upon all members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to take the necessary steps for the recognition of the genocide perpetrated against Armenians and other Christians in the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 20th century, which will strongly contribute to an eventual similar act of recognition by the Turkish authorities of this odious crime against humanity and, as a result, will lead to the normalisation of relations between Armenia and Turkey and thus contribute to regional peace, security and stability.”

Armenian Genocide 98th anniversary commemorated in Lithuania

April 25, 2013 By administrator

April 25, 2013 – 18:01 AMT

On April 24, an event in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide 98th anniversary was held in Lithuania, with MPs, journalists and representatives of the country’s Armenian community present.

Armenian ambassador to Lithuania Ara Ayvazyan, Lithuanian MPs, deputy head of Lithuania-Armenia inter-parliamentary group Algis Kašėta and others came up with reports.

1,500 attend commemoration of Armenian genocide at Montebello monument

April 25, 2013 By administrator

By Mike Sprague
mike.sprague@sgvn.com

MONTEBELLO “” Don’t forget what happened to the 1.5 million Armenians massacred in 1915 by the Ottoman Turks. That was the message speakers delivered Wednesday at the commemoration of the 98th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.

About 1,500 people were present at the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument at Bicknell Park in Montebello.

“We must take a sacred vow to never forget and always remember the Armenian genocide,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

“This monument is a sacred place,” Villaraigosa said. “It’s a marker of one of the 20th century’s greatest crimes. The Armenian genocide is not a matter of debate. It is a matter of fact. ”

The United Armenian Council for the Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, which represents about 50 groups, sponsored the event.

Turkey, a close U.S. ally, has long denied there was a systematic campaign to kill Armenians.

The event is held on April 24 because 98 years ago on that date in 1915 is when the Ottoman Turkish government captured and imprisoned about 300 intellectuals, said John Kossakian, one of the chairpersons of Wednesday’s commemoration.

“We want to keep the memory alive,” Kossakian said.

“It’s not like any other genocide,” he said. “This genocide also comes as a package with the loss of land. Armenians were deported off their land and are immigrants all over the world.

The Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument was unveiled in April 1968 to honor the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Turkish government from 1915 through 1921, as well as to honor all victims of crimes against humanity.

Wednesday’s event was one of many held in Southern California this week. A rally and vigil was held Tuesday night at the monument, a march was held Wednesday in Hollywood and two more were held in Pasadena.

Geoffrey Robertson, a former international judge from London, said Armenians should demand justice from Turkey.

“The attempt to exterminate a race is not just unforgettable,” Robertson said.

“It is unforgiveable unless and until the perpetrators make amends,” he said. “This shouldn’t be a day of sadness. It should be a day of anger and a day to demand justice. ”

Robertson said justice would be an apology and reparations.

It wasn’t just the speakers who said the genocide must be remembered.

“We can never forget,” said Sara Nahapetyan of Montebello, who comes every year to the event. “1915 “” never again. “

Never Forget Armenian Genocide – Kim Kardashian

April 25, 2013 By administrator

April 24, 2013 | 22:00

Famous American celebrity of Armenian descent Kim Kardashian posted a link on her Celebuzz webpage, where she stresses the importance to honor the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who were killed in the 1915 Armenian Genocide.

“I am incredibly proud of my Armenian roots and that is why it is so important for me to spread the word about the Armenian Genocide. It is so important for me to honor the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who were killed in the 1915 Armenian Genocide. My thoughts and prayers will always be with all my fellow Armenians. I will never forget the fear and pain this has caused my ancestors and those close to me and will continue to do everything in my power to educate those around me so that there is a truthful and just resolution of the Armenian Genocide. I love my heritage so much, this will be a part of me forever. Xo,” reads Kardashian’s post.

Armenian Genocide commemorated in Bulgarian cities

April 25, 2013 By administrator

April 24, 2013 – 19:40 AMT

On April 24, Armenian ambassador to Bulgaria Arsen Shoyan, the embassy staff, former MP Katar Khachikian and representatives of the Armenian community laid flowers at the Genocide memorial in Sofia. Ambassador Shoyan delivered a speech, stressing the need for the international recognition of the Genocide and condemning the denial policy. A liturgy was further served in Sofia’s St. Mary’s Church.

The Armenian Genocide commemoration events will also be held in Bulgaria’s other cities such as Varna, Plovdiv, Ruse, Burgas, Dobrich and Sliven.

Armenian Genocide 98th anniversary marked in Aleppo

April 25, 2013 By administrator

April 24, 2013 – 20:20 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – A liturgy was held in Aleppo’s Church of the Holy Mother of God in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide 98th anniversary, followed by a solemn event, with Syria’s Armenian Apostolic, Catholic and Evangelical community heads present.

Upon completion of the event, Consul General Karen Grigoryan delivered a speech on the Genocide international recognition campaign, as well as efforts aimed at genocide prevention and condemnation.

Protesters mark Armenian Genocide, demand compensation (BEIRUT)

April 25, 2013 By administrator

Thousands walked from Dora to Downtown Beirut as part of the annual commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. (The Daily Star/Hasan Shaaban)

BEIRUT: Thousands marched through Beirut Wednesday to call on Turkey to recognize the genocide that involved the systematic slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians nearly a century ago.

Draped in the colors of the Armenian flag – red, blue and orange – over 10,000 people marched across east Beirut to Martyrs’ Square in Downtown. Families sang the Armenian national anthem and carried banners condemning the Turkish government, occasionally pausing to stomp on Turkish flags spread along the route.

“Turkey should recognize the genocide and take action for restitution,” goldsmith Paul Halebian said at the rally. “It’s our right, our land, our dignity.”

Armenian groups claim they are owed large swaths of land in Turkey after their ancestors were forcibly displaced during the partition of the Ottoman Empire in 1915 and 1916 at the end of World War I.

Many Armenian families took refuge in what is now Lebanon as a result of Ottoman attacks on their community. There are currently some 100,000 Lebanese of Armenian origins who are represented in Parliament by five MPs.

“Erdogan Don’t Forget: Eastern Turkey is Western Armenia,” read one banner directed at Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The day was both solemn and festive as both young and old rallied to commemorate their ancestors who died while reaffirming their identity and nationhood.

Armenian political parties Henchag Tashnag and Ramgavar are divided between Lebanon’s two major coalitions – March 14 and March 8 – but they come together for the yearly genocide commemoration. Party scout troops marched and played music together while banners paid for by the parties were draped along the walking route.

“All the associations are here; there is no dispute over the Armenian Genocide,” said Sossy Manoukian, a teacher and school coordinator. “There isn’t a person here who is not directly connected to the genocide.”

A number of non-Armenian Lebanese also joined parts of the rally. After several hours of marching, people rallied in Downtown Beirut, where political and religious speakers delivered speeches about the importance of recognizing the genocide and what is owed to the Armenians.

Leaders decried what they saw as a “conspiracy” aimed against the Armenians to displace them from their lands, and called for the Turkish government to fully compensate them.

“We will not forget our martyrs and our civilization and the cultural heritage in Armenia and … our possessions that were looted by killers,” said the Tashnag Party’s Secretary-General Hovig Mekhitarian.

At a Mass earlier in the day at the Catholicosate in Antelias, Catholicos Aram I Keshishian of Cilicia called for Armenian churches, endowments and heritage in Turkey to be restored as the “first stage of our national struggle.”

Representatives from the families of the nine abducted pilgrims in Syria also marched with the rally alongside several other political figures. But despite the occasional promotion of signs of the conflict in Syria and other political agendas, the rally remained largely focused on Armenia and its history.

Generations have passed since the genocide, but the event and its official recognition by foreign governments still colors politics around the world.

Some 21 countries and most states in the U.S. have officially recognized the genocide, while many other countries have not, partially due to their relationship with Turkey. Ankara maintains the death of some 500,000 people at the time did not constitute genocide.

The rally that began in Armenian areas of greater Beirut attracted many young people who see the yearly commemoration as an important part of their identity, marking an event largely ignored by the rest of the world.

“After two years it will be a century and the world will forget,” said 15-year-old Bedig Alexanian. “We do this to keep the world from being silent.”

Armenian Genocide commemorated in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

April 25, 2013 By administrator

All 14 Armenian communities of Kazakhstan, a number of big Kazakh cities hosted Armenian Genocide commemoration events on April 22-24.

Commemoration events dedicated to the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide were also held in Bishkek with the participation of the Armenian community of Kyrgyzstan, Armenian Foreign Ministry press service reported.

The Armenian Genocide has been recognized and condemned by Uruguay (1965), the Republic of Cyprus (1982), Argentina (1993), Russia (1995), Canada (1996), Greece (1996), Lebanon (1997), Belgium (1998), Italy (2000), Vatican (2000), France (2001), Switzerland (2003), Slovakia (2004), The Netherlands (2004), Poland (2005), Germany (2005), Venezuela (2005), Lithuania (2005), Chile (2007), Sweden (2010). The Armenian Genocide has been recognized by Vatican, the Council of Europe and the World Council of Churches.