Armenians worldwide mark 99th anniversary of GenocideApril 24, 2014 - 10:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - On April 24, 2014, Armenian people across the globe mark the 99th anniversary of the Genocide, one of the worst atrocities in human history perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire. The Armenian Genocide was masterminded by the Central Committee of the Young Turk Party led by Mehmed Talat Pasha, Ismail Enver Pasha, and Ahmed Djemal Pasha. 98 years ago today, Armenian intellectuals of Constantinople were arrested, the figure reaching 800 during a week. Majority of them were killed in prisons, the others died during the exile. In all, from 1.5 to 2 million people were slaughtered in the Ottoman Empire during the WWI. The entire population of six vilayets of Western Armenia was annihilated. Those who survived found shelter in different countries of the world, forming the Armenian Diaspora. Present-day Turkey denies the fact of the Armenian Genocide, justifying the atrocities as “deportation to secure Armenians”. Only a few Turkish intellectuals, including Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk and scholar Taner Akcam, speak openly about the necessity to recognize the Genocide. In December 2008 Turkish intellectuals launched a campaign under the slogan "Armenians, forgive us!" on Sorry! Website, about 30 thousand people signing the petition with the website’s appeal. The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, the Italian Chamber of Deputies, majority of U.S. states, parliaments of Greece, Cyprus, Argentina, Belgium and Wales, National Council of Switzerland, Chamber of Commons of Canada, Polish Sejm, Vatican, European Parliament and the World Council of Churches. Top stories The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. London’s Armenian community has been left feeling “under attack” after the city’s Genocide monument was vandalised. The United States believes there should be an international mission to provide transparency. Partner news | Turkey extends military presence in Azerbaijan The Turkish parliament has adopted a bill submitted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan to extend the mandate of Turkish troops. Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi Arabia Pashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”. |