Armenian National Committee of Canada
130 Albert St., Suite 1007
Ottawa, ON
KIP 5G4
Tel. (613) 235-2622 Fax (613) 238-2622
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
June 08, 2006
Contact: Roupen Kouyoumjian
Tel. (613) 235-2622
ANCC Participates in Genocide Gathering
Meeting Pledges “Never Again”
Ottawa – the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) participated
in a historic meeting, on June 6, to work for the eradication of
genocides through education. The meeting was held in the west block of
the Parliament building in Ottawa.
The meeting, organized by Ze’ev Kalin–founder of Genocide Education
Never Again (GENA), was attended by survivors and representatives from
various genocide-victim communities (Armenians, Cambodians, Jews,
Rwandans, Sudanese, Ukrainians). Members of parliament, diplomatic
representatives, human rights organizations and scholars also took part
in the meeting.
Yvonne Bedrossian was the sole Canadian-Armenian survivor of the 1915
Armenian Genocide who could attend the meeting. In addition to Aris
Babikian, the executive director of the Armenian National Committee of
Canada (ANCC), other attendees included Armand Hagopian, charge d’
affaires and Michael Vartanyan, first consul of the Armenian Embassy;
Vahe Balabanian (CAN); Victoria Cop, the president of the Armenian
Students Association of Ottawa; and other Armenian community leaders.
Prelate Archbishop Khajag Hagopian sent letter of support and
solidarity.
The purpose of the meeting was to bring genocide survivors and their
descendents together to pledge to work to eradicate genocide, and raise
awareness about various genocides and explore options to prevent it.
Keynote speaker Dr. Gerry Caplan delivered an inspiring and
compassionate speech, urging the Canadian Government and the
international community to be more resolute in their efforts to put an
end to the scourge of genocide. He emphasized that politicians should be
consistent in their dealing with such heinous crimes as genocides. “They
should not be selective in condemning and trying to prevent genocidal
acts,” said Caplan. He also commended the Harper Government for its
recent recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
In his ” Solidarity of Sorrow” speech, Dr. Caplan urged the various
victims of genocide to stand by each other, recognize each others
suffering, and work together to prevent other races from going through
what they have experienced. He reiterated that there is no hierarchy
among genocide victims.
Dr. Caplan deplored the Turkish Government’s denial of the Armenian
Genocide and the Israeli Government’s refusal to recognize the Armenian
Genocide. He also talked about the Rwandan Genocide and the horrific
situation in Darfur, and the “cynical political games some super and
regional powers play to determine how, when, where and why to interfere
to stop genocide acts form taking place.”
Dr. Caplan commended Babikian of ANCC for his commitment and efforts to
reach out and work with all victims of genocides regardless of their
colour, religion or race.
The keynote speaker said he is hoping the pledge by the various victims
of genocide to work together would put moral pressure on the Canadian
Government to act more decisively.
“We as a victim nations of genocide, should form common front to fight
racism, xenophobia, intolerance, and hatred. It is our duty and
obligation to humanity to prevent future genocides from happening. We
also should stand in solidarity against denial. Because the last act of
any genocide is the denial aspect. As we have seen no one is immune
from denial and revictimizing the survivors and their descendents,” said
Aris Babikian, the executive director of ANCC.
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The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and
affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances
the concerns of the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of
issues.
Regional Chapters
Montréal – Laval – Ottawa – Toronto – Hamilton – Cambridge – St.
Catharines – Windsor – Vancouver
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
