Fairfield Advance (Australia)
January 20, 2010 Wednesday
1 – Main Book Edition

MP’s genocide motion

by CARLEEN FROST

SMITHFIELD State Labor MP Ninos Khoshaba will lobby his government to
formally recognise the genocide of the Assyrian people.

Mr Khoshaba said he would move that the State Government condemn the
genocide when parliament resumed next month.

“This motion is about recognising those men, women and children who
lost their lives during the genocide,” he said.

“I believe it is important to remember such events in order to ensure
such crimes against humanity are not repeated.”

The Assyrian genocide has become a talking point since Fairfield
Council approved a monument honouring its victims in Bonnyrigg last
year.

Mr Khoshaba’s father, deputy mayor Anwar Khoshaba, was instrumental in
having the monument approved. Like the plaque on the monument, Mr
Khoshaba’s motion will make no reference to the turkish people, who
are accused of the genocide.

When the State Government recognised the Armenian genocide in 1997,
the Ottoman Government was listed as the group responsible for the
slaughter.

“I decided to move the motion after receiving several representations
from local residents and community groups in my electorate,” Mr
Khoshaba said.

The motion will come before parliament on Tuesday, February 23.