Austria Recognizes #ArmenianGenocide

April 21, 2015 By administrator

VIENNA—The Austrian Parliament drafted a statement on April 21 condemning the Armenian Genocide and calling on Turkey to face its past. According to sources, all six factions of parliament came together and agreed on the statement, which will be presented to the public on April 22.

The news comes a day after Germany announced its plan to “stand behind” a resolution affirming the Armenian Genocide, which will be voted on April 24.

Germany’s Parliament is set to use the term “genocide” in a resolution, and the government said on April 20 that it will support the motion sponsored by the ruling parties.

A draft of the German resolution notes the Armenians’ fate is “exemplary for the history of mass destruction, ethnic cleansing, expulsions, and genocides by which the 20th century is marked in such a terrible way.”

Syrian President finally recognizes the Armenian Genocide

April 6, 2015 By administrator

17:20, 29 Jan 2014
Siranush Ghazanchyan

Pres. Bashar al-Assad

In a lengthy interview last week with Agence France Presse (AFP) on the tragic situation in Syria, Pres. Bashar al-Assad made an unexpected reference to the massacres of 1.5 million Armenians. This is the first time that any Syrian head of state has acknowledged the Armenian mass murders and identified the perpetrator as Ottoman Turkey. Report armradio.am

During the interview, Pres. Assad compared the Armenian Genocide of 1915 to the brutal killings of civilians by foreign fighters nowadays in Syria: “The degree of savagery and inhumanity that the terrorists have reached reminds us of what happened in the Middle Ages in Europe over 500 years ago. In more recent modern times, it reminds us of the massacres perpetrated by the Ottomans against the Armenians when they killed a million and a half Armenians and half a million Orthodox Syriacs in Syria and in Turkish territory.”

Not surprisingly, two days later, Bashar Jaafari, Syria’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, made a similar remark: “How about the Armenian Genocide where 1.5 million people were killed?”

The only other high ranking Syrian official who has acknowledged the Armenian Genocide was Abd al-Qader Qaddura, Speaker of the Syrian Parliament, when he inscribed a poignant statement in the Book of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide Monument and Museum in Yerevan on July 16, 2001: “As we visit the Memorial and Museum of the Genocide that the Armenian nation suffered in 1915, we stand in full admiration and respect in front of those heroes that faced death with courage and heroism. Their children and grandchildren continued after them to immortalize their courage and struggle…. With great respect we bow our heads in memory of the martyrs of the Armenian nation — our friends — and hail their ability for resoluteness and triumph. We will work together to liberate every human being from aggression and oppression.”

While the Parliament Speaker’s 2001 statement was a candid and heartfelt message with no political overtones, the same cannot be said about Pres. Assad’s words on the Armenian Genocide as he clearly intended to lash back at the Turkish government’s hostile actions against the Syrian regime. It is well known that Turkey has played a major role in the concerted international effort to topple Pres. Assad, by dispatching heavy weapons and arranging the infiltration of foreign radical Islamist fighters into Syria.

Relations between Syria and Turkey were not always hostile. Before the start of the Syrian crisis in 2011, the two countries were such close political and economic allies that the Assad regime banned the sale of books on the Armenian Genocide, and did not permit foreign film crews to visit Der Zor, the killing fields of thousands of Armenians during the Genocide. Mindful of possible Turkish backlash, Pres. Assad’s staff cancelled my courtesy meeting with the President in 2009 after they discovered on the internet my countless critical articles on Turkey. Moreover, during the honeymoon period between the Syrian and Turkish governments, Pres. Assad advised the visiting Catholicos Aram I that Armenians should maintain good relations with Turkey and not dwell on the past!

In his recent interview with AFP, Pres. Assad also complained about the failure of Western leaders to comprehend developments in the Middle East: “They are always very late in realizing things, sometimes even after the situation has been overtaken by a new reality that is completely different.” Frankly, one could make the same criticism about Pres. Assad for realizing at his own detriment only too late the dishonesty and duplicity of Turkey’s leadership.

Regrettably, the Syrian President is not the only head of state who has failed to decipher the scheming mindset of Turkey’s rulers. Countless Middle Eastern, European, and American leaders have made the same mistake, trusting Turkey’s feigned friendship, only to be let down when the time came for Turkey to keep its end of the bargain.

In recent months, with the increasing dissatisfaction of the international community with Prime Minister Erdogan’s autocratic policies and belligerent statements, it has become crystal clear that no one knows the true face of Turkey better than Armenians, Assyrians, Greeks and Kurds, who have suffered countless brutalities, massacres and even genocide under despotic Turkish rule.

Despite Pres. Assad’s political motivations, Armenians should welcome his belated statement on the Armenian Genocide. After refraining from acknowledging the Genocide for all the wrong reasons for so long, at least now the Syrian President is on record telling the truth about past and present Turkish atrocities!

Hawaii State Senate Recognizes #ArmenianGenocide

April 4, 2015 By administrator

Hawaii State Senator Will Espero (left) and Artur Artenyan with a signed resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide

HONOLULU, Hawaii—Hawaii’s State Senate last week unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide and declaring April 24 as a day of remembrance and commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

“The Senate joins the House of Representatives, Hawaii’s Armenian-American community, and all Armenians worldwide in recognizing and honoring those who were killed and persecuted during the Armenian genocide, and urging people throughout the world to never forget these horrific crimes against humanity,” the resolution reads.

Hawaii State Senators who introduced the bill, including Suzanne Chun Oakland, Donovan Dela Cruz, Will Espero, Breene Harimoto, Les Ihara Jr., Lorraine Inouye, and Russel Ruderman, were present with Armenian American community member Artur Artenyan at the signing of the resolution into law. The full text of the resolution is below.

* * *

S.R. NO. 33 THE SENATE STATE OF HAWAII TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 MAR 1 0 2015
SENATE RESOLUTION DECLARING APRIL 24 AS A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE IN RECOGNITION AND COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF 1915.

WHEREAS, during the chaos of World War I between the years 1915 and 1923, approximately 1,500,000 Armenian men, women, and children living within the Ottoman Empire’s borders were killed in a brutal genocide; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of Armenians were forced to flee to foreign countries after being stripped of their possessions, national identities, and homeland; and

WHEREAS, documented as the first instance of genocide in the twentieth century, the Armenian genocide remains unacknowledged by the Republic of Turkey to this day; and WHEREAS, even though over 90 years have passed since these mass killings took place, present-day atrocities continue to resonate throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, it is every person’s responsibility to recognize the brutal slayings of so many innocent individuals, remember their suffering, and vow to help prevent future occurrences of genocide; and

WHEREAS, each year, Armenians throughout the world honor those who perished in the first genocide of the twentieth century, and the world community should join in recognizing and commemorating the Armenian genocide to ensure that this inhumanity is never forgotten; and

WHEREAS, with H.R. No. 192, H.D. 1, the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii declared April 24 as a day of remembrance in recognition and commemoration of the Armenian genocide during the Regular Session of 2009; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, that this body declares April 24 as a day of remembrance in recognition and commemoration of the Armenian genocide; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate joins the House of Representatives, Hawaii’s Armenian-American community, and all Armenians worldwide in recognizing and honoring those who were killed and persecuted during the Armenian genocide, and urging people throughout the world to never forget these horrific crimes against humanity; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America Western Region.

Spain city recognizes Armenian Genocide

March 17, 2015 By administrator

The Plenary Council of the City Hall of Bétera, Spain, has formally recognized the Armenian Genocide.

The council’s respective decision notes that a series of massacres and deportations of the Armenian people took place between 1915 and 1921 in the territory of present-day Turkey, and the Bétera City Hall officially recognizes the Armenian Genocide, and condemns the crimes against humanity that were committed during these events.

Armenia News – NEWS.am

US: South Dakota House Recognizes #ArmenianGenocide

February 26, 2015 By administrator

Becomes 43rd state to recognize the Armenian Genocide

South Dakota House Recognizes Armenian Genocide

PIERRE, SD—The South Dakota House of Representatives on Thursday in a vote of 51 to 17 passed a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide, becoming the 43rd state to call for justice for the Genocide. report asbarez

With 28 original co-sponsors, the resolution calls for a “just resolution,” condemns denial and encourages the teaching of the Armenian Genocide in SD schools. It also discusses the genocides of Greeks and Assyrians.

“Designating 2015 as the “Year of Remembrance for the Centennial Since the Commencement of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923″ in South Dakota and urging Congress and the President of the United States to formally and consistently recognize and reaffirm the historical truth that the atrocities committed against the Armenian, Greek, and other Christians living in their historical homelands in Anatolia constituted genocide and to work towards equitable, stable, and durable Armenian-Turkish relations,” read the text of the resolution.

Israeli President recognizes the Armenian genocide at the UN

January 29, 2015 By administrator

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said Wednesday before the General Assembly of the United Nations as “cynical” accusations against Israel of genocide and war crimes detrimental to the world body’s ability to fight against the real thing.

Speaking to mark the International Day of Holocaust Remembrance before the assembly, Reuven Rivlin mentioned the Armenian genocide of 1915 – killed more than a million Armenian citizens of Turkey – which is nevertheless not recognized as a genocide by Israel says Haaretz.

Rivlin said: “In 1915, the days of the Armenian Genocide, Avshalom Feinberg of the underground NILI [A Jewish spy network in Ottoman Palestine] wrote the following:” My teeth were clenched in anger, which is the next? I stepped on the holy and sacred land, on the road to Jerusalem, and wondered if this time we were living in 1915 or in the days of Titus or Nebuchadnezzar? And I wondered if I could weep for the hurt of the daughter of my people and if Jeremiah would not have shed tears of blood as for Armenians? “

Rivlin added, “Feinberg wrote that there are exactly 100 years. 100 years of hesitation and denial. In the Land of Israel of that time, on which I was born, no one has denied the murder occurred. The inhabitants of Jerusalem, my parents saw them coming by the thousands, hungry, burning like sticks snatched from the fire. In Jerusalem, they found refuge and their descendants live there to this day. “

Reuven Rivlin called on the United Nations to set red lines beyond which the international community should intervene to stop the genocide. He then said: “At the same time we must remember that the fixing of red lines forces us to stop diluting and cynically exploit them in the name of pseudo-objectivity, as is done in the rhetoric of rights Man with the use of terms such as “genocide” for political purposes. “

Citing the “shameful” UN resolution later invalidated, on Zionism as “his greatest enemy” racism, Reuven Rivlin continued:

“Nevertheless, the absurd comparisons such as this that we Israelis are exposed constantly … not only confuse allied with the enemy, but they undermine the ability of this House to fight effectively against the genocide phenomenon.”

In his introduction, delivered in English, Reuven Rivlin called attention to the current fighting in the north, saying they represented Israel’s struggle against the global challenge of “terrorism.”

“I am here at a time of great tension in our region. My heart and my thoughts are with my people Israel. Terrorism does not distinguish between the blood. In this war, all of us, all the United Nations, the countries of the free world, must form a united front, “said Rivlin.

He delivered the body of his speech in Hebrew – “the same language in which my Jewish colleagues shouted” Shema Israel “as they marched to the gas chambers. The language of my brothers and sisters, we honor today. “.

Thursday, January 29, 2015,
Stéphane © armenews.com

UNESCO recognizes the Armenian lavash despite the opposition of Azerbaijan

December 9, 2014 By administrator

If the last Azerbaijan’s efforts to prevent a UN agency to recognize the Armenian lavash (flat bread) as an intangible cultural heritage have failed, experts in Armenia still believe that such resistance from the neighboring country can be expected in the future.

The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held its 9th session at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from 24 to 28 November and during the session, the Committee decided to nominate the “Lavash Armenia, the preparation, service and appearance of traditional bread an expression of culture in Armenia “on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In the wake of this decision Azerbaijan would have used different channels to ensure that UNESCO reconsiders its decision, and some media in Azerbaijan have even reported that the Armenian lavash was ultimately not included in the list.

“The lavash is part of our culture, and defend our culture,” said the ethnographer and historian Suren Hobosyan at a press conference in Yerevan. He called on colleagues in Armenia to prepare for an “organized fight and Fierce” of Azerbaijan.

According to the specialist, but there lavash bread as in all neighboring countries and such bread is also prepared in the Arab countries and even in India, the Armenian lavash is “unique.”

“Maybe that Armenians who settled in Georgia, Turkey, Iran brought that element in the culture of these countries with them,” said Hobosyan, adding that the popularity of lavash and the presence of tonirs the where lavash is traditionally baked, in all regions of the country proves “the Armenianness” bread.

“There was no house in Armenia, which has no tonir. Only Armenians have used and had 1 to 1.5 meters deep, because the Armenians did not have much energy. And, for example, Georgian tonirs are above ground level because they had more energy to burn, “said the ethnographer.

Hobosyan noted with regret that the lavash loses its popularity in Armenia today. “We are losing the battle in our own country. We are trying to prove to the world that the lavash is ours, but it’s not interesting to the world, we should use in our country, but even fast food that is sold in our streets today introduced the abroad – shaurma, khachapuri, etc. Dropoff window.

The host of a cooking show Sonia Tashchyan also believes that more efforts are needed in Armenia to popularize the local cuisine and encourage people to become “carriers” of the food culture.

“We lavash recipes that have been used for hundreds of years, but today they are no longer used,” she said.

By Sara Khojoyan

ArmeniaNow

After Years of Denial, Foxman Recognizes Genocide

May 24, 2014 By administrator

BY LAURA BOGHOSIAN

BOSTON—After years of equivocation, Anti-Defamation League National Director Abraham Foxman has publicly acknowledged that the Turkish massacres of the Armenian people constituted genocide.

This recognition comes after a seven-year campaign in which the Armenian and Jewish communities, as well as human rights activists and local officials, demanded that the ADL affirm this historical truth.

In remarks delivered at Suffolk University Law School’s commencement on May 17, Foxman stated, “Had there been people of courage to act in 1915 when the Armenian genocide was taking place, had there been international intervention when massacres in Cambodia, Bosnia, and the genocide in Rwanda were happening, innocent lives in great numbers could have been saved.”

The announcement that Foxman would deliver the keynote address and receive an honorary degree unleashed widespread criticism that the university planned to honor a man who refused to issue a clear statement on the Armenian Genocide and who actively lobbied against its recognition.

Groups including the Suffolk chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, Suffolk student organizations, the Armenian Bar Association, Suffolk alumni, and others called on Suffolk to rescind its invitation. When Suffolk refused, several faculty members carried small Armenian flags in silent protest onto the stage where Foxman spoke.

Foxman’s Suffolk remarks stand in contrast to the ADL’s 2007 statement that the “consequences” of the Turkish government’s actions were “tantamount to genocide.” The Armenian community and its supporters rejected that statement as its qualifiers circumvented the intent required by the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention.

An ADL statement one year later that alleged it had “referred to those massacres and atrocities as genocide” was likewise rebuffed as it only “referred” to the unacceptable 2007 statement. Recent claims by Foxman and the ADL that this 2008 release clearly and unequivocally acknowledged the Armenian Genocide are false.

Since that time, human rights activists have continued to press the ADL for an unequivocal acknowledgement, as well as an end to its lobbying for the Turkish government to prevent passage of a Congressional Resolution affirming the Armenian Genocide.

“Abe Foxman’s reference to the Armenian massacres as genocide, without any qualifiers, is a welcome change,” stated Herman Purutyan, Massachusetts chair of the Armenian Assembly of America. “Even though Foxman continues to assert that he had previously acknowledged the genocide, the basis for his claims are a chain of statements, at the root of which is the 2007 statement full of qualifications, intended to obfuscate the question. We expect that Foxman’s statement at Suffolk is not only his personal view, but that it also reflects ADL’s official position. ADL should confirm this by publishing an unequivocal statement on its website, and joining in the efforts to have the U. S. Congress recognize the Armenian Genocide by passing the resolution currently before it.”

Foxman’s remarks reflected growing support by Jewish organizations for recognition of the Armenian Genocide. In March, ADL New England Regional Director Robert Trestan was quoted stating that the ADL “now fully recognizes the Armenian genocide without reservation.”

The following month, the American Jewish Committee issued a release that read, “We pause in mournful tribute to the memories of the estimated 1.5 million victims of the Meds Yeghern, the Genocide of Armenians, committed in the final years of the Ottoman Empire.” Describing the genocide as “an unspeakable crime against humanity,” the AJC called upon the Turkish government to confront the truth. ”

Finally, the Israeli Knesset discussed recognition of the Armenian Genocide at a plenum on May 13. A motion by the left-wing Meretz party to recognize the genocide before its 100th anniversary next year received support from across the political spectrum, including from the rightist coalition government.

“These reversals of position by major Jewish organizations are quite significant for all those committed to recognition of the genocides of the past century,” stated Dikran Kaligian, chairman of the Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts. “No longer will Turkey be able to exploit the differences between the positions of these organizations’ leadership and their membership — the vast majority of whom want nothing to do with Turkey’s genocide denial campaign.”

Locally, the Coalition to Recognize the Armenian Genocide was established in 2008 to foster communication between the Armenian and Jewish communities and to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide within the Jewish community. Its objectives include advocating for official recognition of the genocide by the United States government. Coalition members include representatives from the Armenian National Committee of America and the Armenian Assembly of America.

The coalition facilitated contacts between Armenian activists and members of the ADL and created an online petition calling on Congress to recognize the Armenian Genocide that has gathered over 21,000 signatures to date.

Laura Boghosian is a member of the Coalition to Recognize the Armenian Genocide.

California State Assembly Recognizes Artsakh’s (Karabakh’s) Independence

May 9, 2014 By administrator

On the floor of the CA State Assembly After Vote on AJR 32 From Left: Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian, Counsellor of Armenia to Los angeles Artak Galstyan, Savak Khatchadorian of ACA, Assemblymember Cheryl Brown, Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, ANCA Western Region Chair Nora Hovsepian, Assemblymember Scott Wilk, ANCA Western Region Executive Director Elen Asatryan, NKR Representative to the United States Robert Avetisyan, Assemblymember Mike Gatto.

Landslide 70 to 1 Victory Reaffirms California State Assembly’s Commitment to Democratic Self-Determination, Calls for U.S. Recognition of Karabakh’s Independence

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The California State Assembly, in an overwhelming bipartisan vote, on Thursday called for U.S. recognition of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh, marking a major milestone in the growing American movement supporting the national and democratic aspirations of the citizens of this independent and historically Armenian country, reported the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR).

The historic vote specifically voiced encouragement for Artsakh’s (Nagorno Karabagh) continuing efforts to develop as a free and independent nation, and formally called upon the President and Congress of the United States to support the self-determination and democratic independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. AJR 32 was adopted by a vote of 70 to 1, and will now move to the California State Senate for consideration. Earlier this week, AJR 32 was adopted by the State Assembly Rules Committee by a vote of 9-1.

“Today the people of California, through a nearly unanimous vote by their elected representatives in the State Assembly, stood on the side of freedom and independence for the people of Artsakh. We were extremely proud and gratified to work so closely with Speaker John A. Perez and Assemblymembers Mike Gatto, Katcho Achadjian, Adrin Nazarian, and Scott Wilk in achieving this great victory, and we thank each and every one of them for leading this effort. We look forward to a similar victory in the State Senate, as the ANCA WR continues its day to day efforts in pursuit of every aspect of the Armenian Cause,” stated ANCA WR Chair, Nora Hovsepian who had provided compelling oral testimony during the committee hearing held on Monday, May 5, 2014.

“Today’s overwhelming vote puts the California State Assembly on record in support of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and reaffirms our unwavering commitment to freedom and self-determination for all peoples,” noted Assembly Speaker John A. Perez.

AJR 32 lead author, Assemblymember Gatto introduced the resolution on the floor providing historical background; noting the importance of supporting the self-determination and independence of Artsakh. Co-Author Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian (R-CA), Assemblymembers Ian Calderon (D-CA), Tom Daly (D-CA) Adrin Nazarian (D-CA), Scott Wilk (R-CA) and Cheryl Brown (D-CA) joined Gatto in urging their colleagues to support the resolution, each providing heavy.

“Just last month, we worked so hard to make this resolution move forward, and we are so proud today that the California State house stood with me in support of the people of Artsakh in their ongoing quest for freedom, democracy and independence,” stated Assemblymember Gatto.

California is home to tens of thousands of Armenian-Americans who are refugees of pogroms against Armenians in Sumgait (1988), Kirovabad (1988), and Baku (1990), and the ethnic-cleansing of the Armenian population of Azerbaijan. Dozens of refugees from the region, many from the Shahumian district of Artsakh, were present for the historic vote.

Alena Nalbandyan, who lived in Shahumian until the Azerbaijani military assault against Armenian civilians, provided personal testimony during the hearing which resonated with the committee members. “It was very gratifying to be able to share my experience with the members of the State Legislature. Today’s vote represents a validation of the demand for self-determination by all Armenians from Arstakh.”

“This resolution represents a major step in the recognition of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic as an independent nation. I would especially like to thank my colleague Assemblymember Gatto for bringing this issue before the Assembly for debate. I am proud the state of California has taken a stance to support NKR’s pursuit of liberty and freedom,” stated Co-Author of AJR 32, Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian.

Assembly Member Adrin Nazarian said, “Today’s historical vote on AJR 32 demonstrated the Legislature’s will to accurately recognize truth in the face of false adversity. I commend my colleagues for standing on the side of truth, freedom, and democracy. Their solidarity with the people of Artsakh speaks volumes about the progress they have made in their path for self-determination, and their goal for recognition as an independent state.”

“It is a special day for Artsakh. As we are preparing to celebrate a triple holiday in Artsakh – the liberation of Shushi, formation of the NKR defense army and victory in WW2, we now have another significant reason to celebrate, which is the support of Artsakh’s freedom and sovereign democracy by one of the strongest states of the United States,” commented Representative of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic to the United States Robert Avetisyan. “We want to thank the California State Assembly for supporting us and our aspiration for freedom and everyone who made this day possible. This decision by the State Assembly of the State of California reiterates that the human rights and liberties are the prevailing values in this world and it only reinforces our determination to move forward and develop as an open and democratic society,” added Avetisyan.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) worked closely with Speaker Perez’s office as well as the author, Assemblyman Mike Gatto, Co-Author Katcho Achadjian, and Assemblymembers Adrin Nazarian and Scott Wilk to garner support for the resolution. In weeks and days leading up to the vote, the ANCA WR also activated its grassroots in sending letters and making calls to elected officials, urging them to support AJR 32.

“California has always been at the forefront of global human rights issues, leading America and the world on everything from ending Apartheid to, now, supporting democracy and self-determination for the independent Republic of Nagorno Karabakh,” states ANCA-WR Executive Director, Elen Asatryan. “As Americans we cherish our own liberty and support the right of all peoples to live in freedom and under governments of their own choosing. The people of Nagorno Karabakh deserve nothing less, ” added Asatryan.

Upon passage by the State Senate, California will join Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine and Louisiana in adopting legislation which supports the independence of Artsakh.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.