Georgia’s Armenians shift Genocide rally venue over tense situation

April 24, 2016 - 16:42 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Georgia’s Armenian community resolved to shift the venue for the annual April 24 rally from outside the Turkish embassy to the territory adjacent to the church of St. Echmiadzin.

“Considering the complicated situation in the country and the region, as well as the stance, request and concern of the Georgian authorities, the community resolved to abstain from holding a traditional April 24 rally outside the Turkish embassy. This year, by way of exception, the event will be held at the territory adjacent to the church of St. Echmiadzin,” the community’s statement said.

The Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres and deportations, involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million.

The majority of Armenian Diaspora communities were formed by the Genocide survivors.

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 this crime against humanity.

The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, Italy, 45 U.S. states, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Argentina, Belgium, Austria, Wales, Switzerland, Canada, Poland, Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, the Vatican, Luxembourg, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Sweden, Venezuela, Slovakia, Syria, Vatican, as well as the European Parliament and the World Council of Churches.