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UNIVERSAL CONDEMNATION OF GENOCIDE IS REQUIRED
By Victor Dominello MP
Armenia Online
http://keghart.com/node/508
Australia
Arme nia Online, launched in 2009, is the internet version of its parent
weekly newspaper. It will deliver real-time news from Australia,
Armenia and the greater Diaspora every day. It serves to cover
community news and events.
The Armenian genocide is a heart-felt issue for the many residents of
Ryde who are of Armenian heritage. But in my mind it is also a most
important topic for all people who live in a civilised society. In
a world that is becoming smaller and where the lines on maps are
becoming less and less relevant, the concept of deliberately killing
one's neighbours, friends, brothers, sisters, sons or daughters on
the grounds of their nationality, their race, or their political or
cultural persuasion is beyond abhorrent--it is inconceivable. However,
genocide is not inconceivable, it is not unthinkable and it is not
unbelievable, because it has already happened. It happened in 1915,
when about 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Government
on the grounds that they were Armenians.
Universal condemnation of genocide is required. A failure to condemn
and punish the perpetrators of genocide will simply encourage evil
to flourish.
History has shown us that it takes very little for evil to
surface. Evil is like a virulent weed: it needs only a modicum of soil
to grow,20and it will grow anywhere and in most conditions. One must
remain vigilant to ensure that, when evil surfaces, the conditions for
its growth are stunted or removed. To the extent that we can measure
the progress of our civilisation, it can only be by reference to
the steps that we have put in place to ensure that the dark side of
our history is never repeated. The very first step in moving forward
is to acknowledge the past. This was done in a very powerful way on
Sunday 19 April 2009, and in the week that followed.
On that Sunday I attended a considered address by Dr Paul Bartrop
on the occasion of the Armenian Genocide Commemoration evening held
at the University of Technology, Sydney, Kuring-gai campus. On the
evening of 24 April 2009 I, together with a number of Ryde-based
Australian Armenians, caught a chartered bus to Parliament House to
attend a wreath-laying ceremony and lecture. On Sunday 26 April 2009
I attended the ninety-fourth commemoration of the Armenian genocide,
organised by Ryde City Council, at Meadowbank. For me that week was
powerful for a number of reasons. The Sunday address was held in a
sombre setting, with photos displayed of some of the deplorable acts
that took place during the genocide. The photos were in black and
white and, whilst they captured only an instant in time, they will
remain etched in my memory forever.
The week was also powerful as I witnessed the strength o f the
descendents of the survivors of the genocide, who gather together to
pay respect to those lost, and to ensure that the flame of justice
remains alight. What I have said should not be read as a criticism
of the Turkish people. Such a construction would be offensive to me
and to the tenor of the issue that I raise in this House. Indeed,
to this day there are many heroic Turkish people who are also urging
the recognition of the Armenian genocide.
The relationship between Australia and Turkey is a very special one. It
is forged in history and in blood on the shores of Gallipoli. The way
in which Turkey and Australia come together each year to commemorate
Anzac Day is a model expression of how, with leadership, people can
unite notwithstanding past conflict.
The Armenian community in New South Wales, and in Ryde, is in good
hands. It is fortunate to have the spiritual leadership of Aghan
Baliozan, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Australia and
New Zealand. The community has natural leaders amongst its numbers in
Gladys Berejiklian, the member for Willoughby, and, at a local level,
in Deputy Mayor Councillor Sarkis Yedellian and Councillor Artin
Ekmekjian. It also has wonderful organisations such as the Armenian
Chamber of Commerce, the Armenian Senior Citizens Support Group,
the Ararat Scouts, Mission Armenia, the Armenian National Committee
and the Armenian Youth Federation of Australia.
It is important to the many Australian Armenians in Ryde that I speak
out about this issue so that they know where I stand. The world needs
leaders who will take a stance on issues of principle, despite the
diplomatic difficulties that may arise. For this, I applaud members of
this Parliament who showed leadership on 17 April 1997 by unanimously
resolving to commemorate and condemn the Armenian genocide. I endorse
this resolution and call on the Federal Government to follow suit. The
world needs people who believe that words matter. I ask the Australian
Armenian community of Ryde to listen to these words: I will stand
shoulder to shoulder with you in your goals to obtain recognition
and justice arising from the Armenian genocide.
By Victor Dominello MP
Armenia Online
http://keghart.com/node/508
Australia
Arme nia Online, launched in 2009, is the internet version of its parent
weekly newspaper. It will deliver real-time news from Australia,
Armenia and the greater Diaspora every day. It serves to cover
community news and events.
The Armenian genocide is a heart-felt issue for the many residents of
Ryde who are of Armenian heritage. But in my mind it is also a most
important topic for all people who live in a civilised society. In
a world that is becoming smaller and where the lines on maps are
becoming less and less relevant, the concept of deliberately killing
one's neighbours, friends, brothers, sisters, sons or daughters on
the grounds of their nationality, their race, or their political or
cultural persuasion is beyond abhorrent--it is inconceivable. However,
genocide is not inconceivable, it is not unthinkable and it is not
unbelievable, because it has already happened. It happened in 1915,
when about 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Government
on the grounds that they were Armenians.
Universal condemnation of genocide is required. A failure to condemn
and punish the perpetrators of genocide will simply encourage evil
to flourish.
History has shown us that it takes very little for evil to
surface. Evil is like a virulent weed: it needs only a modicum of soil
to grow,20and it will grow anywhere and in most conditions. One must
remain vigilant to ensure that, when evil surfaces, the conditions for
its growth are stunted or removed. To the extent that we can measure
the progress of our civilisation, it can only be by reference to
the steps that we have put in place to ensure that the dark side of
our history is never repeated. The very first step in moving forward
is to acknowledge the past. This was done in a very powerful way on
Sunday 19 April 2009, and in the week that followed.
On that Sunday I attended a considered address by Dr Paul Bartrop
on the occasion of the Armenian Genocide Commemoration evening held
at the University of Technology, Sydney, Kuring-gai campus. On the
evening of 24 April 2009 I, together with a number of Ryde-based
Australian Armenians, caught a chartered bus to Parliament House to
attend a wreath-laying ceremony and lecture. On Sunday 26 April 2009
I attended the ninety-fourth commemoration of the Armenian genocide,
organised by Ryde City Council, at Meadowbank. For me that week was
powerful for a number of reasons. The Sunday address was held in a
sombre setting, with photos displayed of some of the deplorable acts
that took place during the genocide. The photos were in black and
white and, whilst they captured only an instant in time, they will
remain etched in my memory forever.
The week was also powerful as I witnessed the strength o f the
descendents of the survivors of the genocide, who gather together to
pay respect to those lost, and to ensure that the flame of justice
remains alight. What I have said should not be read as a criticism
of the Turkish people. Such a construction would be offensive to me
and to the tenor of the issue that I raise in this House. Indeed,
to this day there are many heroic Turkish people who are also urging
the recognition of the Armenian genocide.
The relationship between Australia and Turkey is a very special one. It
is forged in history and in blood on the shores of Gallipoli. The way
in which Turkey and Australia come together each year to commemorate
Anzac Day is a model expression of how, with leadership, people can
unite notwithstanding past conflict.
The Armenian community in New South Wales, and in Ryde, is in good
hands. It is fortunate to have the spiritual leadership of Aghan
Baliozan, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Australia and
New Zealand. The community has natural leaders amongst its numbers in
Gladys Berejiklian, the member for Willoughby, and, at a local level,
in Deputy Mayor Councillor Sarkis Yedellian and Councillor Artin
Ekmekjian. It also has wonderful organisations such as the Armenian
Chamber of Commerce, the Armenian Senior Citizens Support Group,
the Ararat Scouts, Mission Armenia, the Armenian National Committee
and the Armenian Youth Federation of Australia.
It is important to the many Australian Armenians in Ryde that I speak
out about this issue so that they know where I stand. The world needs
leaders who will take a stance on issues of principle, despite the
diplomatic difficulties that may arise. For this, I applaud members of
this Parliament who showed leadership on 17 April 1997 by unanimously
resolving to commemorate and condemn the Armenian genocide. I endorse
this resolution and call on the Federal Government to follow suit. The
world needs people who believe that words matter. I ask the Australian
Armenian community of Ryde to listen to these words: I will stand
shoulder to shoulder with you in your goals to obtain recognition
and justice arising from the Armenian genocide.