PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Relief Society of Stockholm, Sweden (HOM)
Contactperson: Mr. Hagop Khatcherian
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +46707461495
Swedish Armenians pledge never to forget `24 April – 90th Anniversary
Committee’ is in full action
To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, a number
of organizations from Stockholm came together and called a committee
into life, the 24 April – 90th Anniversary Committee’ , whose main
priority will be the planning and organisation of the events in
commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
The committee brings together all parts of the Armenian community and
consists of representatives from the following organizations,
-Armenian Apostolic Church
-Armenian Catholic Church
-Armenian Relief Society of Stockholm, Sweden (HOM)
-Armenian Relief Society (Youth chapter)
-the cultural Ararat Association
-KFI Association
-Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden
`This committee is the ultimate organ in Sweden which has taken the
responsibility to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide in one soul by gathering all the Armenians under one ceiling,
We shall work hand in hand and organize the whole program of the
commemoration,’ says chairperson Hagop Khatcherian. The commemoration
is to be done on 3 different dates with different programs in order to
promote the Armenian question and remind the Swedish public on the
reality of the Armenian genocide committed by the Turkish authorities
in 1915 during the first world war .
`Sweden has been generous and always interested in minorities
issues. Sweden took the initiative of Living History Forum and
organized a world forum bringing together 57 nations in order to talk
about genocide and prevention of genocide.` continues Mr. Khatcherian,
Sweden has a tradition that goes way back, Many missionaries from the
Scandinavian countries have been guardian angels and saved lots of
Armenian children from perishing. They have tried to influence the
public opinion in their times in order to rescue Armenia and our
countrymen from the death rows in Der el Zor. `
`That’s where Alma Johansson comes in. On the 17th of April Armenians
all over Sweden on the initiative of the 24th April the committee will
pay tribute the Swedish missionary Alma Johansson, who did her outmost
to help our fellow Armenians during the massacres, ` We shall visit
her grave in Stockholm, light a candle and pray for her soul’ in
gratitude for her fantastic effort. People make difference, a single
people can make a difference,
On the 23rd of April an open air commemoration of the genocide will be
held. It Will take place in the center of the city Indeed, on the busy
square of Medborgarplatsen Armenians from all over Sweden will gather
for a manifestation by lighting 90 candles as to symbolize the 90th
anniversary of the genocide along with some cultural events and
speeches.
`On the 24th April we shall have the major event to commemorate the
90th year of the genocide together with a huge number of foreign
guests, both Swedes and others, along with our fellow countryman. We
will have representatives from the media, Swedish political parties,
clergies and others. Our main Swedish speaker is Mr. David Gaunt and
the Armenian speaker is Dr. Ashot Alexanian who is the Counselor of
the Embassy of the republic of Armenia in Vienna ,Austria. ` concludes
mr. Hagop Khatcherian.
Along with other cultural events during the program, an Armenian
ecclesiastical choir from Moscow will take part with psalms by Gomidas
and others. There will be a film projection parallel to the lectures
and activities for the young. More news will soon be sent to the
media¨
Attached a witness by Alma Johannson
Document
1915-11-06-DE-012-M
Source: DE/PA-AA/Embassy Constantinople/Vol. 171.
Publication:: DuA Doc. 196 (abbr.)
Translator: Robert Berridge
[Notes Mordtmann, 6 November]
Statement by Sister Alma Johansson (Swedish), based at an institution run by
the German Christian Charity-Organisation for the Orient in Musch,
concerning the persecution of the Armenians in Musch. (5 November)
(NB)
In Musch there is one orphanage for young boys and a second for young girls,
and an out-patients’ clinic, locally named the “Doctor’s Ward”.
The city of Musch has a population of 50000, half of which are Armenians,
the other half Moslems (Kurds and Turks). In the district of Musch there are
300 villages, mostly Armenian.
During the winter the male Armenian population was used for provision and
munitions colonies in the Eastern theatre of war. Out of those sent only a
few returned: from 2-300 on average just 50.
The Armenian villages were destroyed in spring after they had already been
ravaged as a result of billeting and requisitioning. Between May and June,
Bitlis was cleared of all Armenians.
In the middle of June, Alma Johansson and Bodil Björn were informed by the
Mutessarrif that the German and Turkish governments had decided to send all
Europeans to Harput.
The Russians had namely occupied Ahlat, Bulanik, Gop, and Lisch in the
course of their advances from Wan. Their patrols were active within a 1- to
2-days’ march from Musch.
But still the two Sisters refused to leave Musch. The city was surrounded by
troops and encircled by artillery.
On the night of Sunday, the 11 July, the massacres began, using rifles. The
Turks claimed that several Armenians had attempted to break out in the
direction of Sassun. A few well-situated Armenians were informed in the
konak that they had to leave the city within three days, along with the
entire population. But all their possessions had to be left behind as they
now belonged to the state.
Within two hours without waiting for the end of this period, the Turks had
begun breaking into Armenian homes and plundering them. On Monday the 12th,
light artillery and rifle fire could be heard the whole day. The local
Turkish population participated in these events.
In the evening soldiers forced themselves into the girls’ orphanage in
search of Armenians possibly hiding there. During the night and the
following day a great deal of shooting took place. In an attempt to close
the yard door, a woman and an orphaned girl were shot dead who were standing
next to Sister Johansson.
Early Wednesday, she went to the Mutessarrif, Servet Bej, to secure
protection and a reprieve for the institution and its occupants.
The Mutessarrif, an intimate friend of Enver Pasha, conducted himself like a
man possessed and rejected the requests brusquely, ignoring the
deliberations from his trusted circles. The two Sisters were only allowed to
keep three girls and a servant.
The male Armenian population was murdered right in front of the town. The
women, girls and children were carried off and taken on a further day’s
march before being disposed of. Only three Armenian teachers from the
orphanage were later set free.
After the city was cleared, the Armenian Quarter was put to the torch and
razed to the ground, along with the Armenian villages. Throughout these
events the military doctor, Dr. Assat Bej, an Albanese, distinguished
himself through his coarseness and also threatened the two Sisters.
On 10 August, they departed for Mesere Harput and arrived there on 20 August
with the infirm Mutessarrif, who died two days later.
Sister Alma, likewise, gave a detailed account of the decimation of the
Armenians in Harput. The persecutions had already begun in May. The
grand-scale elimination of all males took place during the first days of
July (Vali Sabit Bej, Kurd; Chief of Police, Reschad Bej).
I will mention the following in detail.
Official circles in Musch, Mesere-Harput and Siwas unanimously believe that
the persecutions and elimination of the Armenians was urged upon the Turkish
Government by the Germans.