Latest news with #ArmenianGenocide
Sky News AU
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Armenian voter frustration with major parties could shift Bennelong outcome
The Armenian-Australian community's frustration with major parties could influence the outcome in the key seat of Bennelong, according to Armenian National Committee executive director Michael Kolokossian. Mr Kolokossian said Armenian voters in the electorate are increasingly frustrated with both major parties' supposed failure to recognise the Armenian genocide. "When you have a swing seat like Benalong and a large Armenian-Australian community where even a few hundred votes could tip the balance, there is an expectation at an election time that on the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, that the prime minister, or for that matter the opposition leader, would use the words Armenian Genocide in their statement, which was delivered to our community only a week ago on the 24th of April," Mr Kolokossian told Sky News Australia. "The community is rightly frustrated after years of silence, and that frustration is risking the Armenian-Australian community's vote being spread to minor parties. "So Armenian Australians are rightly quite angry about the decision from both the prime minister and the opposition leader."
Forbes
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
We Need Serious Leadership On Genocide Prevention
A picture taken on April 29, 2018, shows a visitor looking at victims' portraits at the Kigali ... More Genocide Memorial in Kigali, Rwanda. (Photo credit: YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images) In the United States, April is designated as Genocide Prevention and Awareness Month and is aimed at commemorating and raising awareness about genocides that occurred in the past, including the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, and the Rwandan Genocide. April was the obvious choice for this commemoration, as past decades have seen significant atrocities being perpetrated in this month. This is also why several genocides are being further commemorated during the month of April. April 7 marks the UN International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. It was established to remember members of the Tutsi community, an African ethnic group, who were killed or injured in the atrocities. In 1994, as many as one million people – overwhelmingly Tutsi, but also Hutu and others who opposed the genocide – were systematically killed in 100 days of the atrocities, and thousands more were injured. Among those, it is estimated that between 250,000 and 500,000 women were subjected to systematic sexual violence. These statistics send a strong message. The speed of the killings confirms that the atrocities were planned. The implication is that the destruction of the Tutsi people, an ethnic minority group, was the intention. April 24 marks the Armenian Genocide Memorial Day, a day to remember the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Beginning on April 24, 1915, with the arrest of Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople by Ottoman authorities, some over 1.5 million Armenians were deported and subjected to horrific atrocities. The main atrocities occurred between 1915 and 1916 and 1920 and 1923, when the Ottoman Empire invaded parts of Armenia, subjecting Armenians to further mass killings. The day is marked only by a handful of states globally. This may, April 24 also mark the Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom Hashoah) to commemorate the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, the largest armed Jewish uprising during the Second World War. On April 19, 1943, a group of young men led by Mordechai Anielewicz fought back Nazi troops who entered the Warsaw Ghetto to deport its inhabitants to concentration camps. Over the years, the Genocide Prevention and Awareness Month has also been used to shine a light on ongoing atrocities globally and the serious risk of atrocities. Despite the legal obligation to prevent genocide enshrined in the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (the Genocide Convention) and the political commitment of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), atrocity crimes are too common and are rarely addressed with comprehensive responses. The duty to prevent genocide is never triggered, as states continue to shy away from identifying the serious risk of genocide and acting upon it. The R2P has not delivered palpable change either. Commenting on the 20th anniversary of the R2P, Professor the Hon. Gareth Evans and Dr. Jennifer Welsh, Co-Chairs of the International Advisory Board of the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, stated that: '20 years later – with all too obvious horrors and civilian suffering still occurring in Gaza, Sudan, the DRC, Myanmar and elsewhere – it is clear that R2P is still at best a work in progress. It is time to reflect on what we have learned about preventing and responding to the atrocity crimes outlined in the World Summit Outcome Document, and to focus on how we can do better.' With every situation of atrocity crimes perpetrated globally, it is clear that we urgently need serious leadership on genocide prevention. In recent years, the US played a crucial role here, especially with the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act, an act aimed at improving the US response to mass atrocities. It is yet unclear what President Trump's plans are on the issue. As it stands, it appears that genocide and atrocity crimes prevention do not appear to be a priority for the Trump Administration. Reportedly, with the planned major overhaul of the US State Department, the Office of Global Criminal Justice, which works on the US response to international crimes, is to be subjected to cuts. Further changes have not been confirmed, nor how this is going to affect the US's ability to play its important role in atrocity prevention. Genocide and atrocity prevention are a matter of national security. Such work requires resources, capacity building and long-term commitment. It is key that genocide and atrocity prevention become a priority for this new administration and help to deliver the change that is urgently needed.
Canada Standard
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Canada's FM: Karabakh Armenians were forcibly displaced
- Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly issued a message commemorating the Armenian Genocide and highlighting the forced displacement of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023. "More than 1.5 million Armenians were killed in 1915. We must ensure their names and stories are never forgotten," Joly wrote on X, as reported by . She also shared a video message marking the anniversary. "We join Armenian communities in Canada and around the world to remember and honor those who continue to live with the pain and tragedy of loss. Today, we recognize the resilience of the 120,000 indigenous Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh who, in 2023, were forcibly displaced from their lands for the first time in history. Far too much suffering and destruction occurred in Nagorno-Karabakh," Joly stated. She stressed that as the world marks the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act - the foundation for the OSCE - it remains vital to combat hatred, denial, and extremism while upholding Canada's core values domestically and globally. Joly concluded her message with an Armenian phrase: " " ("We remember and demand"). Source:
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Springfield marks 110 years since Armenian genocide with flag raising
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – History is being recalled on the steps of Springfield City Hall. Thursday marks the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, when the Turkish Ottoman Empire killed more than one-and-a-half million Armenians during the early 20th century. The city of Springfield took a moment to observe the day with a flag raising. Officials were joined by members of the Armenian community as they prayed for peace and reflected on this dark moment in history. Father Bedros Shetilian with St. Gregory Armenian Church told 22News, 'We struggle because still, the dear Turkey didn't pay the price for it. Still, Turkey denies. So I am very actively pursuing that goal for recognition.' The pastor hopes that many will continue to advocate for not just recognition but justice for all Armenians. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Canada Standard
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Canadian ambassador says proud his country recognized Armenian Genocide
24 Apr 2025, 12:01 GMT+10 - Canadian Ambassador to Armenia Andrew Turner emphasized that the ceremony commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide conveys a powerful message. He expressed pride that Canada is among the nations that have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. "The commemoration of the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide reminds us all to remain attentive to the lessons of history and to honor the memory of all victims. I believe the memorial ceremony was incredibly moving," the ambassador said, as reported by Armenpress. He added that the anniversary event, despite its simplicity, carried a profound message. "I am very proud that Canada has recognized the Armenian Genocide. During my diplomatic career, I played a small role in that process-conducting research and helping draft a speech on the subject for one of our senators. It's something I feel deeply proud of," the ambassador noted. The Canadian Senate adopted a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide on June 13, 2002. Source:
