Armenian National Committee of Australia
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PO Box 768, Willoughby NSW 2068
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South Australia Passes Armenian Genocide Motion
ADELAIDE: An Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia)
delegation was present as South Australian Parliament’s Legislative
Council passed a motion recognising the Armenian Genocide as "one of
the greatest crimes against humanity".
The motion, introduced by the Hon. David Ridgway MLC (Leader of the
Liberal Opposition in Legislative Council) and seconded by the
Hon. Bernard Finnigan (Member of the Labor Government in Legislative
Council) went through unopposed, and sees the Upper House of South
Australia’s parliament join the New South Wales parliament in
condemning "the genocide of the Armenians and all other acts of
genocide".
However this motion is unique, as it is the first to include
recognition of recently-uncovered material detailing the significant
humanitarian effort by the people of South Australia who aided the
victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide almost a century ago.
South Australians, as part of the global Near East Relief effort,
answered to calls for aid by donating clothing, money and
infrastructure – an orphenage in Lebanon which housed the child
survivors of the attempt by Ottoman Turkey to exterminate its
Christian-Armenian minority.
When introducing the motion a fortnight ago, a proud Mr. Ridgway said:
"I would like to recognise South Australia’s role in the first major
international humanitarian relief effort. As was the case for the
genocide itself, that effort was not broadly publicised."
Mr. Ridgway added: "It goes without saying that such acts as the
Armenian genocide epitomise prejudices against race, religion and
culture. For most Australians those attitudes are difficult to
comprehend but, unfortunately, they remain commonplace in many
societies today."
Mr. Finnigan also addressed the house in seconding the motion: "In
light of growing international awareness of the Armenian genocide –
and given the horrific nature of the genocide itself – it is time for
we South Australians to do our part."
ANC Australia Political Relations Officer, Mr. Vache Kahramanian
commended Mr. Ridgway, Mr. Finnigan and their Legislative Council
colleagues for recognising what he described a "proud intertwining of
histories for Armenian-Australians".
He said: "It is fitting that South Australia is the first to honour
this significant moment in Australian history – the first time this
great nation came to the aid of a needy people a whole world away."
Mr. Kahramanian added: "It is important for nations like Australia to
recognise and condemn all acts of genocide, as some – like the
Armenian Genocide – remain unpunished."
Mr. Ridgway commended the Armenian-Australian community and ANC
Australia for their excellent leadership.
"I am grateful to be in an ongoing working relationship with the
Armenian community," he said. "The Armenian National Committee is
dedicated to a campaign which advocates recognition of the genocide,
and today’s motion is also a tribute to its tireless efforts on behalf
of the Armenian community."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress