GROWING CALLS FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION IN AUSTRALIA
Armenia.com.au
Friday, 19 March 2010 17:58
The Hon. Joe Hockey MP on Thursday called for Federal Australian
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, becoming the third MP to address
the Armenian Genocide in Parliament this week, reported the community’s
peak public affairs body, the Armenian National Committee of Australia
(ANC Australia).
Hockey, part-Armenian and a long-time advocate for Armenian Genocide
recognition, added his speech to those made by the Hon. Maxine McKew
MP and Mr. Paul Fletcher MP earlier in what has been an unprecedented
week of advocacy in Australia.
Three members of the House of Representatives, representing both
major parties, have this week affirmed the historical truth of the
Armenian Genocide.
While paying tribute to the life of one of Sydney’s last remaining
Armenian Genocide survivors Mr. Arshag Badelian, who passed away
earlier this month, Hockey said: "I have long argued that this
Parliament should recognise the genocide committed against the Armenian
people in 1915."
The Shadow Treasurer added: "In the past month the Swedish parliament
and the United States House Foreign Relations Committee have both
recognised the genocide and these are very welcome developments.
"More and more legislatures are voting to recognise this past injustice
and it is time that Australia joined them."
ANC Australia President, Mr. Varant Meguerditchian said: "We met with
Mr. Hockey last week, and as soon as he was made aware of Mr.
Badelian’s passing, he decided it would be appropriate to address
Parliament on his life and his legacy as a survivor of a Genocide
yet to be recognised by the Federal government in Australia.
"Mr. Hockey has again gone on public record calling for Australia
to join the score of legislatures calling on Turkey to recognise the
Armenian Genocide, and along with the statements this week of Ms.
McKew and Mr. Fletcher; the battle for Federal recognition of the
Armenian Genocide is very much alive."
On Badelian, Hockey said: "His passing, on the eve of the 95th
Anniversary of the Genocide, also gives us cause to reflect on these
terrible events and to recommit ourselves to the mission of ensuring
that such a travesty is never again inflicted on any people simply
because of their race and culture."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
