Steps Into Recognition

[Ashot]

Iowa Caucus winners have both recognized the Armenian Genocide

 

The winners of Iowa caucuses, US Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee ®, are both on record as having recognized the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

 

Senator Obama has spoken forcefully about the moral imperative of US recognition of the Armenian Genocide, specifically calling upon the Bush Administration, in letters and public statements, to end its "wrong and untenable" policy on this issue. During his three years in the Senate, however, he has yet to join with his legislative colleagues in cosponsoring the Armenian Genocide Resolution. Senator Obama also voted in the Foreign Relations Committee to approve the highly controversial and ultimately unsuccessful nomination of Dick Hoagland to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, despite bipartisan Congressional opposition and widespread outrage among Armenian Americans over the nominee's denial of the Armenian Genocide.

 

Selected statements by Senator Obama are provided below:

 

Letter to secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (July 28, 2006):

 

"The occurrence of the Armenian genocide in 1915 is not an 'allegation,' a 'personal opinion,' or a 'point of view." Supported by an overwhelming amount of historical evidence, it is a widely documented fact."

 

Press statement on the Hoagland nomination (September 7, 2006):

 

"The Bush Administration's policy concerning the Armenian genocide is wrong and is untenable. That the invocation of a historical fact by a State Department employee could constitute an act of insubordination is deeply troubling and is a clear sign that it is time to revisit the Administration's guidance on this issue. I have written to Secretary Rice urging that such a review occur so our diplomats will not be placed in a similar position in the future."

[Ashot]

Time to recognise the Armenian genocide

 

12 October 2007

New Statesman

 

The Armenian ambassador to Britain on why he believes, nearly a century on, Turkey should admit to a genocide

 

Throughout the twentieth century to the present day there has not been any substantiated doubt about the character of the mass deportations, expropriation, abduction, torture, starvation and killings of millions of Armenians throughout Ottoman Turkey that started on a large scale in 1915 and carried onto 1923.

 

Centrally planned by the government of the day and meticulously executed by the huge machine of the state bureaucracy, army, police, hired gangs and - specially released for that purpose - criminals from prisons, the campaign had one clear aim expressly stated by the government in secret directives: to rid Anatolia of its indigenous Armenian population and settle the so –called ‘Armenian question’ for good.

 

An entire nation and its Christian culture were eliminated to secure a homogenous Turkish state on territories where Armenians had lived for many centuries.

 

Terms such as “genocide” or “ethnic cleansing” were not in circulation then, so Winston Churchill later referred to the 1915 massacre of 1.5 million Armenians as an “administrative holocaust”.

 

The Turkish authorities made no secret of the aim once it was achieved and other governments and nations have known the truth since. One of the early accounts of Armenian Genocide was published in 1916 in Britain.

 

The British Government at the time commissioned James Bryce and Arnold Toynbee to compile evidence on the events in Armenia. The subsequent report was printed in the British Parliamentary Blue Book series “The Treatment of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire, 1915-1916”. The report leaves no doubt about what was taking place.

 

In 1915, thirty-three years before UN Genocide Convention was adopted, the Armenian Genocide was condemned by the international community as a crime against humanity. It is well acknowledged that Polish jurist Raphael Lemkin, when he coined the term genocide in 1944, cited the Turkish extermination of the Armenians and the Nazi extermination of the Jews as defining examples of what he meant by genocide.

 

Amidst huge international pressure, the Turkish Government succeeding the Young Turks had not only to recognize the scale and vehemence of the atrocities but also to try the perpetrators in military tribunals and sentence the leaders to death.

 

However, the sentences were not carried out and with the passage of time moods changed not only in Turkey but also in some countries, such as the UK, where Turkey is nowadays seen as a key alley. Still, even in countries that have not yet for some reason recognized the Genocide scholars have no doubts about the character of the events: they point out that there is no scholarly issue, only one of political expediency.

 

Armenians throughout the world insist that there be an international recognition and condemnation of what is often called the first genocide of the twentieth century. We are past the stage of scholarly discussion since a very few challenge the fact. To dispel any doubt, 126 leading scholars of the Holocaust placed a statement in the New York Times in June 2000 declaring the "incontestable fact of the Armenian Genocide" and urging western democracies to acknowledge it.

 

In 2005 the International Association of Genocide Scholars addressed an open letter to Turkey’s Prime Minister R. Erdogan calling upon him to recognize the truth. The evidence is so overwhelming that the only question remaining is how to help the two nations close that shameful page of the history, reconcile and move forward.

 

However, despite the affirmation of the Armenian Genocide by the overwhelming majority of historians, academic institutions on Holocaust and Genocide Studies, increasingly more parliaments and governments around the world, and by more and more Turkish scholars and intellectuals, the Turkish government still actively denies the fact. So long as they do that, Armenians have no choice but to struggle for wider international recognition.

 

This is however not an end in itself. It is important that Turkey recognizes the Genocide, apologizes and condemns it. When the Germans have apologized for the sufferings they had caused to the Jews, the British for slavery, the Americans for their treatment of native Americans etc, Turkey’s continuing denial, moreover, increasing efforts and resources spent on the denial are alarming signs, aggravated by their insistence not to establish diplomatic relations with neighbouring Armenia and by maintaining a blockade on all ground communication. Armenia does not even set the recognition of the Genocide as a prerequisite for normalizing relations and calls for establishing diplomatic relations and opening of the border without any preconditions.

 

As the killing this January of Hrant Dink, the Turkish-Armenian editor of the Agos bilingual periodical demonstrates, international community cannot stand aside and watch. Hrant was persecuted under the infamous 301 article for “insulting Turkish identity” and the hysteria around someone daring to speak the truth created the fertile soil for the hatred that killed him. His case was shamefully still open even after his assassination and in a demonstration of absolute absence of morality, Turkish courts yesterday sentenced Hrant’s son, as well as another of Agos’s current staff to a year of imprisonment under the same accusations, for simply daring to re-print Hrant’s words.

 

This is why the world should not yield to Turkish threats that are outright blackmailing. The resolutions in various legislatures across the world, and recently in the US House of Representative Foreign Relations Committee are not merely the result of Armenian Diaspora’s – which by the way, was created in the first place because of the genocide in Turkey - influence. It is because there are more people who believe in values and in putting the wrongs right.

 

A number of British MPs have tabled an EDM (Early Day Motion), to raise the awareness about the Armenian Genocide and calling on British Government to recognize it as such. Currently, around 170 MPs across the party lines have signed an EDM which reads “That this House believes that the killing of over a million Armenians in 1915 was an act of genocide; calls upon the UK Government to recognize it as such; and believes that it would be in Turkey's long-term interests to do the same.”

 

Their number grows steadily. It is time the British Government followed many others and re-affirmed the UK’s place among the standard-bearers of democracy and human rights.

 

It is worth repeating that international recognition of the Genocide cannot do harm to Turkish-Armenian relations since they simply do not exist. It does not prevent a dialogue, on the contrary, creates the necessary conditions to start a frank one. By recognizing the historic truth and helping open the last closed border in Europe, the international community can facilitate long-lasting stability and prosperity in our region. And it is also probably time to show that the human race’s evolution into the 21st century is evolution of ideals, principles and a code of behaviour that should take precedence over political expediency or sheer commercial interest.

 

Vahe Gabrielyan

Armenia’s Ambassador to the Court of St. James’s

 

 

[Ashot]

Turkish historian Taner Ak'am denounces persecution of intellectuals in Turkey

 

One year after Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was assassinated on an Istanbul street, Taner Ak'am, a Turkish historian and university professor, says the Turkish government, media and law enforcement bodies are working in tandem to harass, intimidate and persecute intellectuals who challenge the government's version of the events of 1915, the Armenian Assembly of America reports.

 

During a press conference at the National Press Club Ak'am, a leading scholar in the field of Holocaust and Genocide studies at the University of Minnesota, said that dissent and free speech are restricted due to a dangerous mindset that exists within Turkey. He said the atmosphere of intolerance has worsened, rather than improved, in the year following Dink's murder.

 

"A climate has been created such that to attack and persecute intellectual is considered a patriotic act," Ak'am explained. "The media targets and attacks intellectuals and turns them into prey, free for the hunting...the justice system punishes the intellectuals, and thugs are used as pawns by the law enforcement agencies to attack and kill the targeted intellectuals. The government conceals these crimes, blurs the evidence and backs the law enforcement officers who are involved in these crimes."

 

Ak'am left his native Turkey and relocated to the US in 2001, after his writing on the Armenian Genocide began to appear in English. Following the 2006 publication of his book, "A Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility," Ak'am says the campaign against him intensified. He has received death threats, been physically attacked and has had his book tours violently disrupted. He has been labeled a "traitor" to his country, and was recently detained for hours at a Montreal airport due to a vandalized Wikipedia entry in his online biography.

 

In addition to denying the historical truth, the Turkish government maintains that the events of 1915 are a matter for historians. Ironically, scholars and writers like Ak'am and Dink are routinely prosecuted under Turkey's infamous Article 301 of the penal code for acknowledging the genocide. According to Ak'am, Dink was targeted because he was a direct threat to what Turks call the "deep state," the unelected body of government known for targeting reformists and other perceived enemies in the name of nationalism. As a Turkish citizen of Armenian descent, the newspaper editor was a fierce defender of freedom of the press and was determined to speak the truth, even as ultra-nationalist forces were determined to silence his voice.

 

"What we want is very simple," Ak'am explained. "We want freedom of speech and we want justice."

 

Dr. Payam Akhavan, a renowned scholar of International Law at McGill University, is representing Ak'am in a case before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against the Republic of Turkey and also took part in the press conference.

 

A former UN war crimes prosecutor, Akhavan provided an overview of the criminal charges brought against Ak'am in Turkey. He said the case pending before the ECHR challenges the validity of Article 301 as a violation of freedom of speech. He argued that scholars like Professor Ak'am be allowed to engage in research and publication without fear of prosecution or vigilante justice.

 

Akhavan said that Article 301 continues to be used to silence free speech and debate on the Armenian Genocide, which only serves to keep modern Turkey hostage to its past rather than reckoning with historical injustices and encouraging a democratic culture in which reconciliation with Armenians may be possible.

 

"The use of Article 301 is a flagrant violation of freedom of speech under Article 10 of the European Convention," Akhavan said. "What the Turkish government is doing through its failure to repeal Article 301 is that, instead of criminalizing hate speech, Article 301 is actually legitimizing hate speech by denying or minimizing the destruction of Armenians in 1915."

 

"If the position of the government is that the issue of the Armenian Genocide should not be politicized, should not be debated before the U.S. Congress, then that position has no credibility whatsoever so long as free speech on this issue is criminalized in Turkey," he added.

 

Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny said, "One year after Dink's murder, Ankara has done precious little to overturn the climate of prejudice and repression that led to this unspeakable crime. Instead, Armenians and other minorities are still at risk. All people of goodwill should unite in calling for a repeal of Article 301."

[Nikephoros_Phokas]

Here is an Islamic fundamentalist blog post:

http://jiwamuda.blogspot.com/2007/06/setti...bout-islam.html

"Islam is not like that. It can never be personal. If a Muslim commits crime or unlawful things, it is the duty of other Muslims to prevent it from happening again or even by letting them started in the first place(amar maaruf nahi mungkar). If a Muslim love God and despise Islam(in religion context), so the person needs only to confess to God about his/her sin and go away with his/her misdeed without abiding to any of the Islamic law and rules that cater for those misdeeds (like what outline by other religions parallel to the concept of religion in Western philosophy that strictly about 'You and God'). Again, this prove Islam is not fit to be group into a definition of religion like what non-Muslim thinks."

 

Compare this to Ataturk's eternal mission:

Turkish Youth! your primary duty is ever to preserve and defend the National independence of the Turkish Republic.

 

That is the sole foundation of your existence and your future. This foundation is your most precious treasure. In the future too, too there will be ill-will, both in the country itself and abroad, which will try to tear this treasure from you. If one day you are compelled to defend your independence and the Republic, then, in order to fullfil your duty ... It is possible that the enemies who desire to destroy your independence and your Repubic represent the strongest force that the earth has ever seen; that they have, through craft and force, taken possession of all the fortresses and arsenals of the homeland; that all its armies are scattered and the country actually completely occupied.

 

Assuming, in order to look still darker possibilities in the face, that those who hold the power of Government within the country have fallen into error, that they are fools or traitors, yes, even that these leading persons can identify their personal interests with the enemy's political goals, it might happen that the nation came into complete privation, into the most extreme distress; that if found itself in a condition of ruin and complete exhaustion.

 

Even under those circumstances, Turkish child of future generations, it is your duty to save the independence of the Turkish Republic.

 

The strength that you will need for this is the noble blood which flows in your veins.

 

The End.

 

Ataturk, Mustafa Ghazi Kemal. The Great Speech. Ataturk Research Center, (Ankara; 2005) p. 715-716.

 

Fundamental Islam: If someone does something un-Islamic it is up to the ummah to prevent them

Turkish nationalism: Even your government may be traitors, it is up to you prevent them and save the Turkish independence

 

Very similar.

 

Turkish nationalism is the worst meld of Islam and the most fascist aspects of European nationalism. What is happening in Turkey is they have replaced Islam with belief in the Kemalist official ideology and Turkish nationalism. When an author like Akcam is challenging the official history he is being responded to like muslim faithful would to someone challenging Islamic dogma or fatwas: "it is the duty of other Muslims to prevent it from happening". This is why they attack intellectuals in Turkey.

Edited January 19, 2008 by Nikephoros_Phokas

[Ashot]

Congressman Crowley urges Congress to honor Dink's memory by supporting repeal of Article 301

 

Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY) urged Congress to honor the memory of slain journalist and human rights activist, Hrant Dink, by supporting the immediate repeal of Article 301 of the Turkish penal code.

 

The much-criticized law used to curb freedom of speech and criminalize public discussion on the Armenian Genocide is widely believed to have led to Dink's assassination in broad daylight on an Istanbul street on January 19, 2007.

 

"Many informed observers believe Hrant Dink's prosecution under Article 301 opened him up to a campaign of harassment and death threats from ultranationalists, which eventually led to his murder," said Crowley. "To this day, citizens of Turkey live under threat of this gag law, with Hrant Dink's own son prosecuted under this law because he reprinted his father's newspaper article."

 

"This is not the action of a true democracy," he continued. "It is reflective of how a totalitarian state would behave, and this is not the Turkey we, the United States of America, have aligned our country with."

 

Last January, Crowley introduced legislation (H. Res. 102) which condemned Dink's murder, honored his legacy and called on Turkey to take appropriate action to protect freedom of speech by repealing Article 301. The resolution is currently pending in the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

 

"With no demonstrable steps taken to abolish Article 301 a year after Hrant Dink's murder, it is clear that Armenians and other minorities are still at risk in Turkey," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "We therefore commend Congressman Crowley for spearheading this legislation and urge its timely adoption. Passage of H. Res. 102 will pay lasting tribute to Dink's legacy of tolerance and send a clear message that the United States does not stand for repression of free speech."

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

Barack Obama calls for passage of Armenian Genocide Resolution

 

Presidential candidate Barack Obama shared with the Armenian National Committee of America a strongly worded statement calling for Congressional passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 & S.Res.106), and pledging that, as president, he will recognize the Armenian Genocide.

 

In his statement, the Presidential hopeful reaffirmed his support for a strong "US-Armenian relationship that advances our common security and strengthens Armenian democracy." He also pledged to "promote Armenian security by seeking an end to the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, and by working for a lasting and durable settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict that is agreeable to all parties, and based upon America's founding commitment to the principles of democracy and self determination."

 

Read more in Public Radio of Armenia

 

I don't believe the B.S. he just noted, he is a MUSLIM, and he wants to assure us that he will take care our issues and it is an importance for him. I hope ANCA doesn't fall for this crap!!!

[Ashot]

Hundreds of activists gather to oppose Cong. Robert Wexler’s denial of the Armenian Genocide

 

Hundreds of activists from around the country, and from as far as Australia and Argentina, joined together in the 19th District of Florida to rally against genocide denier Cong. Robert Wexler (D-FL-19), and stand in support with democratic primary candidate Dr. Benjamin Graber, reported the Armenian National Committee of South Florida (ANC of S. FL).

 

"The ANC of South Florida felt it was time to voice our concerns about Congressman Wexler. Enough is enough. It is time for change, and to elect someone who will represent Florida's 19th District. We now have a candidate who is the right man for the job, and the Armenian and Greek communities stand by him one-hundred percent," commented Albert Mazmanian, Chairman of the ANC of S. Florida.

 

The event, organized by the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), and co-hosted by the Armenian National Committee of South Florida the Armenian Student Association (ASA), and the Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) amounted to a great success. Also present at the rally was Dr. Benjamin Graber, the democratic primary challenger to Cong. Wexler in the 19th district, as well as his family.

 

For over two hours, activists held up signs and chanted "Vote Graber 2008" and "Wexler Out of Congress." Following the rally, a program was organized with the following participants offering remarks and motivating activists to take action: Isabel Ohanian, chairwoman of the AYF Central Hai Tahd Committee; Albert Mazmanian, chairman of the ANC of S. Florida; Nikos Taneris of CANA; John Bosnitch of the Serbian community; Dr. Benjamin Graber; and Karine Birazian, Executive Director of the ANCA Eastern Region.

 

During his speech, Graber commented: "The world needs leaders who are fair, calm, and intelligent. The time for war should be over. A new era of peace, understanding, and cooperation amongst people and nations needs to begin. The leaders of the status quo like Robert Wexler need to retire and make room for the agents of change who will lead us into a secure and stable future. I am an agent of change, a believer in peace and a mediator of ideas. I will develop consensus and accomplish our goals. That's why I am running to be your congressman."

 

Several thousand Greeks and Armenians reside in Florida's 19th District and have already begun taking action against Cong. Wexler. His past actions on the Cyprus issue as well as his denial of the Armenian Genocide have concerned several constituents and have led them to join Graber's campaign.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

Joe Biden cosponsors Armenian Genocide Resolution

 

The highly regarded and influential chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE), a longtime supporter of US recognition of the Armenian Genocide, officially announced his support yesterday for the Armenian Genocide Resolution (S.Res.106), reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

 

"Armenian Americans - and all those committed to forever ending the cycle of genocide - welcome Chairman Biden's principled support for Congressional reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide, and thank him for his years of leadership in helping to put America back on the right side of this compelling moral and foreign policy issue," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.

 

Chairman Biden has long been a supporter of proper US reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide, cosponsoring legislation in successive sessions of Congress. Last year, he introduced legislation "condemning the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist and human rights advocate Hrant Dink and urging the people of Turkey to honor his legacy of tolerance." The resolution, S.Res.65, noted that Dink was "subjected to legal action under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code for referring to the 1915 massacre of Armenians as genocide." Chairman Biden also led Senate Foreign Relations Committee efforts to uncover the circumstances surrounding the firing of former US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, for properly characterizing the Armenian Genocide as a clear case of genocide.

 

The Armenian Genocide Resolution calls upon the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide. Senator Biden's decision yesterday brings the official Senate cosponsor list to 34.

 

Introduced by Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), the legislation has the support of key Senate leaders including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (D-NY). Earlier this week, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), called for Congressional adoption of the legislation. "America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides. I intend to be that President," noted Sen. Obama.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[AVO]

Why are Greeks all of a sudden joining us? They did so in Moscow to commemorate Hrant Dink and now in Florida.

 

I'm not complaining, but this needs some looking into.

[Ashot]

Because the time is almost coming for the WWIII, perhaps not with weapons but politically!!!

It's time the Greeks started participating as they suffered as well!!!

[Ashot]

Second annnual ANCA / Genocide Intervention Network Capitol Hill advocacy days set for March 12-14 http://armradio.am/pic/anca2.jpg

 

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and Genocide Intervention Network (GI-Net) have teamed for the second annual Capitol Hill advocacy campaign to encourage Congressional action to end the cycle of genocide.

 

The expanded program, titled the "End the Cycle of Genocide: Grassroots Capitol Campaign," will take place March 12th through 14th in Washington DC, beginning with a special breakfast briefing on the morning of March 12th and followed by three days of Congressional visits to encourage U.S. action to stop the genocide in Darfur, the adoption of the Armenian Genocide resolution (S.Res. 106 / H.Res.106), and the strengthening of U.S. resolve to act against all instances of genocide.

 

Activists will be able to share their experiences, exchange ideas, communicate with Members of Congress, and add new connections to the growing national anti-genocide coalition at a special Capitol Hill reception on the evening of Wednesday evening, March 12th.

 

Last March over 100 activists from 25 states participated, visiting all 100 Senate and 435 House of Representatives offices, meeting with Members of Congress, their staff and disseminating information regarding pending Armenian and Darfur genocide legislation. Ten Members of Congress, including House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa Chairman Donald Payne (D-NJ), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Armenian Genocide Resolution author Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), David Dreier (R-CA), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), John Sarbanes (D-MD), and Jean Schmidt (R-OH), joined with advocacy day participants in urging continued grassroots advocacy to secure proper acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide and targeted divestment of firms aiding and abetting the ongoing genocide in Sudan.

 

"We are looking forward to joining forces once again with the Genocide Intervention Network to strengthen the anti-genocide constituency in the country,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “Coming in a year when Turkey seems to be instructing Sudan in its denial tactics and providing political cover for its genocidal policies, our partnership with GI-Net could not be more important.”

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

Rep. Ron Klein to address Armenian Assembly members at Annual Member Meeting in Florida

 

The Armenian Assembly of America will welcome Congressman Ron Klein (D-FL) as a special guest speaker at its Annual Member Meeting on February 23rd in Boynton Beach, Florida.

 

Klein, who represents Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, was one of 27 Members who voted in favor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H. Res. 106) which passed in the House Foreign Affairs Committee last October.

 

“As a student of history, I feel a solemn responsibility to fight for memory of those who perished in the Armenian Genocide. Only once we face the atrocities of humanity can we prevent tragedies like this from occurring again,” Klein said. “I look forward to working with the members of the Armenian Assembly to advance the cause of justice.”

“We commend Congressman Klein for his strong stand in support of the truth and look forward to his remarks at our Annual Member Meeting,” said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.

 

As a Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Klein sits on the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade. He was also recently appointed to serve as Vice Chair of the Middle East Subcommittee. Klein is also a Member of the Financial Services Committee, where he serves on the Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee, and the Oversight Committee.

 

The Annual Member Meeting will provide a forum for members to come together to review the activities and goals of the Assembly.

 

Public Radio of Armenia

[Ashot]

Anti-Genocide activists end first day of Capitol Hill Advocacy

 

13.03.2008 11:11

 

Activists from more than a dozen states spread out across Capitol Hill today for the first of three days of non-stop anti-genocide advocacy, capped with an evening reception featuring powerful remarks by outspoken Congressional human rights leaders, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

 

The three day program, hosted for the second year in a row by the ANCA and the Genocide Intervention Network (GI-Net), puts community human rights advocates directly in touch with dozens of legislators and every single Senate and House office in support of practical legislative initiatives to stop the genocide in Darfur and end Turkey's ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide.

 

The day began with an early morning briefing in the Aramian Conference Room at the ANCA national headquarters and powerful welcoming remarks by Jackie Kanchelian-Speier, a veteran of the California legislature and currently a leading candidate running in the Special Election to fill California's 12th Congressional District. If elected, former State Senator Speier will become the second Armenian American in Congress, alongside Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA). In her remarks, she touched on her long experience in advocating Armenian American issues and urged the gathered activists to remain vigilant and act effectively in seeking to end the cycle of genocide.

 

Among the legislators in attendance at the Capitol Hill reception on Wednesday evening were Representatives Jim Costa(D-CA), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Betty McCollum (D-MN), James McGovern (D-MA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Laura Richardson (D-CA), and John Tierney (D-MA).

 

The expanded program, titled the "End the Cycle of Genocide: Grassroots Capitol Campaign," is taking place from March 12th through 14th. Having completed a full day of meetings, the activists will continue their visits on Thursday and Friday, including a tour of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial and Museum.

 

The activists called for a broad range of steps to end the Darfur Genocide, among them increased funding for peacekeepers, divestment from Sudan, and support for a comprehensive regional peace, as well, of course, for the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106).

 

Public Radio of Armenia