ARMENIAN YOUTH FEDERATION AND THE UNITED HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL TO FAST AT THE LA TURKISH CONSULATE

ASBAREZ
12/23/2006

Los Angeles, CA–The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) and the United
Human Rights Council (UHRC) in a joint collaboration will hold a fast
in front of the Turkish Consulate from January 2nd-6th. The fast,
titled "Fast for Remembrance," aims to raise awareness about the
Armenian Genocide, phases of the genocide and the genocides that
followed.

Beginning January 2 at 9am and concluding on January 6 at 5pm,
a group of youth activists will give up all food in order to bring
attention to the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turkey,
a crime still denied by subsequent Turkish governments.

"Our ancestors were forcefully starved for weeks while being beaten,
tortured and raped. We are willing to fast for a few days in order
to try to educate others about what our people went through during
the Armenian Genocide" said Soseh Esmaili, a Fast for Remembrance
organizer and faster.

"As a member of the UHRC, I understand how important it is to
educate people about the Armenian Genocide and all genocides. The
cliche, ‘history repeats itself’ is true. Due to the fact that the
perpetrators of the Armenian genocide went unpunished, it showed future
genocide perpetrators that it is ok to try to wipe out an entire race
because there will be no repercussions for it," said UHRC member,
Marie Ghanime.

January 6 will not only mark the end of the fast, it also marks the
day that Armenians worldwide celebrate Christmas.