CE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS URGES TURKEY TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
ArmInfo
2010-03-24 14:47:00
ArmInfo. "Historical controversies should not hold human rights
hostage. One-sided interpretations or distortions of historical events
have sometimes led to discrimination of minorities, xenophobia and
renewal of conflict. It is crucial to establish an honest search for
the truth" said Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner
for Human Rights, in his latest Viewpoint published on March 22.
Atrocities in the past must be recognized, documented and learned
from – but not distorted or misused for political purposes.
:He also states that "even more controversial has been – and is –
the very description of the enforced mass displacement, the ensuing
deaths as well as the outright killings of ethnic Armenians in 1915
under the Ottoman Empire. Even though this happened before the creation
of the new Turkish republic, there has been unwillingness there to
discuss these crimes. Writers and journalists who raised the issue
were brought to trial. Now, the first steps towards recognizing the
facts have at long last been taken – through academic discussions –
but more needs to be done." What is important is an honest search
for the truth and a sober, facts-based discussion about the different
versions. Only then can the right lessons be learned, said Hammarberg.