Armenian Genocide recognition will prevent future genocides

PanARMENIAN.Net - Canadian Politicians Reaffirm Their Commitment to Justice and to Historic Truth





Two Ministers, four Parliamentary Secretaries, thirty-nine members of the House of Commons and seven Senators attended the reception, on April 28, celebrating the 5th anniversary of the House of Commons' recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The momentous event, which took place in the West Block of the House of Commons, was organized by the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC).



A large number of other Canadian politicians also attended the event to reaffirm their commitment to justice and to express their unwavering solidarity with the Armenian people in their struggle to fend off Armenian Genocide denial. The high stature of the attendees was particularly heartening since they were there despite the Turkish Government's recent recall of the Turkish Ambassador from Canada.

In addition to Parliamentarians, Ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic corps, NGO representatives, leading lights from Canadian journalism, academia and education, representatives of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Rwandan, Greek, Cypriot, and Kurdish community leaders also attended the celebration.



Harold Albrecht, Chairman of Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group, emphasized the importance of keeping the memory of the Armenian Genocide alive so as to prevent future genocides.



Bloc Quebecois leader, Gilles Duceppe observed that because perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide went unpunished, the international community witnessed the repetition of this heinous crime in Germany, in Cambodia, in Rwanda and in Sudan. In the opinion of Mr. Duceppe reconciliation cannot take place without the recognition.



At the conclusion of the reception, Parliamentarians who voted in favor of the passage of Motion M-380 were presented citations of appreciation from the ANCC President.



A large contingent of Canadian-Armenians from Montreal, Laval, Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton, Cambridge, St. Catharines, and Vancouver joined in the celebrations.



Aris Babikian, executive director of ANCC, said: "It was quite a proud evening to see so many Parliamentarians attend this important evening. For so many politicians to defy Turkish Government threats and blackmail is very telling. Canadian legislators once again sent an unequivocal message to the Turkish Government that it will not get away with its denial campaign and it will be much more beneficial for the Turkish Government to halt its falsification of history and to engage the Armenian people in a genuine and sincere reconciliation process and start healing the wounds perpetrated by its predecessor's action."