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ASSYRIAN MONUMENT DEDICATION HOSTS SABRI ATMAN IN YEREVAN
by Betty Apigian-Kessel
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/05/09/assyrian-monument-dedication-hosts-sabri-atman-in-yerevan/
May 9, 2012
Two years ago I wrote about connecting with Sabri Atman, the founder
and director of the Assyrian Genocide Research Center (Seyfo Center)
in the Netherlands. He is an author, academic, and activist.
Atman has widely lectured on the subject of the genocide throughout
the United States and Europe stating, "Nobody who has researched the
genocide who is genuine and sincere can deny and ignore the fact that
Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks all suffered the same fate."
Atman will soon be studying with noted genocide expert Prof. Taner
Akcam of Clark University for a Ph.D in genocide studies.
There are three Assyrian words used for their genocide: Seyfo, Ferman,
and Kafle. "Seyfo" means sword, referring to the sword of Islam, used
by the Ottoman-Turkish Army and Kurdish troops to kill and destroy.
"Ferman" means order of the government. And "Kafle" means
deportations. We Armenians know the effect of these words all too well.
I had written that he and I were of the same mind that Armenians
should include Pontic Greeks and Assyrians in our quest to have Turkey
recognize the genocide perpetrated upon our people. By combining
our voices and resources, the events of 1915-23 would bring world
attention to our demands for justice more rapidly.
When the Ottoman Turks began their program of violence against the
Christian minorities, not only were 1.5 million Armenians victimized,
but 750,000 Assyrians and thousands of Greeks were included in the
Turkish search and destroy mission.
This genocide and displacement of people indigenous to the area
resulted in a diaspora spread across the world.
California newspaper-woman and Assyrian activist Susan Abrams tells
how, as a teenager, she asked a librarian if books existed about
contemporary Assyrians. "Assyrians don't exist anymore," was the
response.
Sabri Atman has made it his life's work to assure the world that
Assyrians do exist and are living amongst us all over the world.
It was either ordained or a fluke that I was again in touch with Atman
just a week before April 24. He wrote to me that he would be in Yerevan
on April 25 for the dedication of an Assyrian monument to the genocide.
I want you to show readers excerpts from Atman's speech presented at
the official unveiling of the Assyrian Genocide Monument in Yerevan.
***
"My thanks to the Armenian community and authorities of the Republic
of Armenia and the City of Yerevan for making this day a reality. At
the same time I wish to congratulate the Assyrian community and
organizations on your success with the erection of this beautiful
memorial in the memory of the victims of the Assyrian Genocide.
"In recent years, Assyrians have been working diligently towards
greater public awareness of the Assyrian Genocide and for its
recognition around the world. The genocide committed against the
Assyrian people by the Ottoman Empire and other genocides including the
1933 Semele Massacre in northern Iraq are historical realities that
have affected the lives of every Assyrian family. Close to 100 years
after the Assyrian Genocide and 80 years after the Semele Massacre,
Assyrians continue to fight for justice and recognition.
"We Assyrians here today...are now dispersed in the four corners of
the world. The results of this tragedy are still causes of great pain
and suffering for us.
"To our Armenian brothers and sisters living here in Armenia and in
the diaspora, we call on you to add the Assyrian and Greek victims
to your demands for recognition. No three people have shared the
common experiences and plight which we have! The bond between our
three peoples has been forged in blood and anguish and our joint
suffering shall forever unite us.
"The spirit of the martyrs of Semele, Urmia, Hakkari, Van, Tur Abdin,
Omid, and Assyria are amongst us today. They have not and never will
be forgotten. Today, history is rewritten here in Yerevan.
"It gives me great pleasure to note that over 20 countries around
the world have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. It is
my hope that other countries will follow in their footsteps in also
officially recognizing the suffering and annihilation of Assyrian and
Greek peoples during the First World War. I simply ask for justice
for my people.
"At the same time I would not stand here without giving a loud call for
the Republic of Armenia to be the next nation to recognize the Assyrian
and Greek Genocides. Indeed, morally, Armenia and Greece should have
been the first countries to recognize the Assyrian Genocide. If our
Armenian brothers and sisters, a people who suffered the same horrific
plight as us, do not understand our cries for justice, then who, I ask
you all, can understand? We should fight with one voice for justice.
"We say loudly today: We shall never forget 1915! Never again 1915!"
by Betty Apigian-Kessel
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/05/09/assyrian-monument-dedication-hosts-sabri-atman-in-yerevan/
May 9, 2012
Two years ago I wrote about connecting with Sabri Atman, the founder
and director of the Assyrian Genocide Research Center (Seyfo Center)
in the Netherlands. He is an author, academic, and activist.
Atman has widely lectured on the subject of the genocide throughout
the United States and Europe stating, "Nobody who has researched the
genocide who is genuine and sincere can deny and ignore the fact that
Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks all suffered the same fate."
Atman will soon be studying with noted genocide expert Prof. Taner
Akcam of Clark University for a Ph.D in genocide studies.
There are three Assyrian words used for their genocide: Seyfo, Ferman,
and Kafle. "Seyfo" means sword, referring to the sword of Islam, used
by the Ottoman-Turkish Army and Kurdish troops to kill and destroy.
"Ferman" means order of the government. And "Kafle" means
deportations. We Armenians know the effect of these words all too well.
I had written that he and I were of the same mind that Armenians
should include Pontic Greeks and Assyrians in our quest to have Turkey
recognize the genocide perpetrated upon our people. By combining
our voices and resources, the events of 1915-23 would bring world
attention to our demands for justice more rapidly.
When the Ottoman Turks began their program of violence against the
Christian minorities, not only were 1.5 million Armenians victimized,
but 750,000 Assyrians and thousands of Greeks were included in the
Turkish search and destroy mission.
This genocide and displacement of people indigenous to the area
resulted in a diaspora spread across the world.
California newspaper-woman and Assyrian activist Susan Abrams tells
how, as a teenager, she asked a librarian if books existed about
contemporary Assyrians. "Assyrians don't exist anymore," was the
response.
Sabri Atman has made it his life's work to assure the world that
Assyrians do exist and are living amongst us all over the world.
It was either ordained or a fluke that I was again in touch with Atman
just a week before April 24. He wrote to me that he would be in Yerevan
on April 25 for the dedication of an Assyrian monument to the genocide.
I want you to show readers excerpts from Atman's speech presented at
the official unveiling of the Assyrian Genocide Monument in Yerevan.
***
"My thanks to the Armenian community and authorities of the Republic
of Armenia and the City of Yerevan for making this day a reality. At
the same time I wish to congratulate the Assyrian community and
organizations on your success with the erection of this beautiful
memorial in the memory of the victims of the Assyrian Genocide.
"In recent years, Assyrians have been working diligently towards
greater public awareness of the Assyrian Genocide and for its
recognition around the world. The genocide committed against the
Assyrian people by the Ottoman Empire and other genocides including the
1933 Semele Massacre in northern Iraq are historical realities that
have affected the lives of every Assyrian family. Close to 100 years
after the Assyrian Genocide and 80 years after the Semele Massacre,
Assyrians continue to fight for justice and recognition.
"We Assyrians here today...are now dispersed in the four corners of
the world. The results of this tragedy are still causes of great pain
and suffering for us.
"To our Armenian brothers and sisters living here in Armenia and in
the diaspora, we call on you to add the Assyrian and Greek victims
to your demands for recognition. No three people have shared the
common experiences and plight which we have! The bond between our
three peoples has been forged in blood and anguish and our joint
suffering shall forever unite us.
"The spirit of the martyrs of Semele, Urmia, Hakkari, Van, Tur Abdin,
Omid, and Assyria are amongst us today. They have not and never will
be forgotten. Today, history is rewritten here in Yerevan.
"It gives me great pleasure to note that over 20 countries around
the world have officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. It is
my hope that other countries will follow in their footsteps in also
officially recognizing the suffering and annihilation of Assyrian and
Greek peoples during the First World War. I simply ask for justice
for my people.
"At the same time I would not stand here without giving a loud call for
the Republic of Armenia to be the next nation to recognize the Assyrian
and Greek Genocides. Indeed, morally, Armenia and Greece should have
been the first countries to recognize the Assyrian Genocide. If our
Armenian brothers and sisters, a people who suffered the same horrific
plight as us, do not understand our cries for justice, then who, I ask
you all, can understand? We should fight with one voice for justice.
"We say loudly today: We shall never forget 1915! Never again 1915!"