Australian Minister: Armenian Genocide one of greatest crimes against humanity

PanARMENIAN.Net - In a recent parliamentary statement, the Shadow Minister for Immigration, Scott Morrison placed on record his belief that the Armenian Genocide was a crime against humanity.

The statement came after Morisson pledged to add his voice to call for recognition of the Armenian Genocide during the national Armenian Genocide Commemorative Evening in Sydney during April, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia.

“Today, as a member of this House, I join others in this place, and in parliaments around the world, to place on record that I believe the Armenian genocide was one of the greatest crimes against humanity,” said Morrison.

“We do not seek to lay blame, this is not an indictment of the modern, secular, Turkish state that we know as a friend, but it is important that we recognize the Armenian genocide for what it was.”

ANC Australia Executive Director Varant Meguerditchian described the statement as the first step in Morrison’s advocacy efforts.

He said: "Mr. Morrison has now placed on parliamentary record his affirmation of the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide and added his voice to calls for recognition of the Armenian Genocide in Australia."

"We thank Mr. Morrison and trust that he will continue to champion the cause for Armenian Genocide recognition in the Federal Parliament of Australia."

Morrison’s statement was followed just days later by a parliamentary sitting dominated by calls for Armenian Genocide recognition when MPs Joe Hockey, John Alexander and Paul Fletcher raised the matter on the floor of the House of Representatives.