MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT BEING HONOURED AS DEFENDERS OF HUMAN RIGHTS AT EVENT IN OTTAWA MARKING 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Canada NewsWire
April 21, 2009 Tuesday 7:00 AM Eastern Time

On the fifth anniversary of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide
by the House of Commons, the Congress of Canadian Armenians is hosting
a special reception in the Parliament Building in Ottawa this evening
to honour the Members of Parliament who voted in favour of Private
Members’ Bill M-380, which read: "That this house acknowledge the
Armenian Genocide of 1915 and condemn this act as a crime against
humanity."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper Enhanced Coverage LinkingStephen
Harper -Search using: Biographies Plus News News, Most Recent 60 Days
had supported the passing of the bill, and has formally reaffirmed
his and his party’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide every year
since. In a recent letter, Harper stated: "I am honoured to have this
opportunity to extend my warmest greetings to all those attending the
Congress of Canadian Armenians event to mark the 5th anniversary of
the adoption of the resolution by the House of Commons recognizing
the Armenian Genocide. Your recognition of the members of the House
of Commons who supported the resolution is a truly gracious gesture."

Canada’s clear stance on this issue represents a major point of
departure from the current position of its closest ally, the United
States. Potentially signalling an important shift in official policy
during his recent visit to Turkey, U.S. President Obama Enhanced
Coverage LinkingPresident Obama -Search using: Biographies Plus
News News, Most Recent 60 Days re-iterated that his position on this
issue is already on the record and has not changed. As Senator, Obama
Enhanced Coverage LinkingSenator, Obama -Search using: Biographies Plus
News News, Most Recent 60 Days had stated: "It is imperative that we
recognize the horrific acts carried out against the Armenian people as
genocide." Repeating such a statement as sitting U.S. President is what
Armenians are hoping for, although it will not be welcome by Turkey.

Several Ministers, Party Leaders and high-ranking Members of Parliament
have confirmed their presence at the event in Ottawa, including
the four co-sponsors of the bill, Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral (Bloc
Quebecois), The Honourable Jason Kenney Minister of Citizenship,
Immigration and Multiculturalism, Sarkis Assadourian (Liberal)
and Alexa McDonough (NDP). Each is being presented with a framed
certificate of appreciation in recognition of their stance in upholding
human rights. Also expected to be present are several Senators who
had actively supported the passing of a similar motion in the Senate
of Canada on June 13, 2002, as well as Ambassadors of countries that
have also recognized the Armenian Genocide and leaders of the Canadian
Armenian community from across Canada.

Taro Alepian, Chairman of the Congress of Canadian Armenians, states:
"All Canadians should be proud of their government’s courageous stance
on this human rights issue, despite the obvious pressure they must have
faced. We thought it important to honour all those who made the passage
of this bill a reality. We hope that U.S. President Obama Enhanced
Coverage LinkingPresident Obama -Search using: Biographies Plus News
News, Most Recent 60 Days will follow Prime Minister Harper’s lead,
as he had promised to do."

To date over 21 countries, three provinces (Quebec, Ontario, B.C.) and
countless municipalities have recognized as Genocide the events that
occurred in 1915, when 1.5 million Armenians were systematically
exterminated by the Ottoman Empire. Modern day Turkey denies its
history, despite its own official records, overwhelming international
evidence and consensus among historians.

Established in 2004, the Congress of Canadian Armenians is comprised
of many of the large Canadian Armenian organizations. It serves as
a united voice to present Armenian issues to the Canadian public and
to promote Armenian interests.

CONTACT:If members of the media would like to attend the event tonight
at 5:00 p.m or for more information, please contact Alida Alepian,
(514) 793-9233