LETTERS TO TORONTO STAR, CANADA
Harout Manougian

article/799034–time-genocide-recognized
April 21 2010

Time genocide recognized

I applaud Olivia Ward for covering this very important topic. Genocide
is not confined to a particular time period, it is a crime that
transcends time and space. Genocide has adverse effects on every new
generation, particularly through the stage of denial.

According to genocide scholar and director of Genocide Watch Dr.
Gregory Stanton, genocide denial is a double killing, it is considered
the last stage of genocide where the perpetrators and their successor
states attempt to cowardly rewrite history, vilify the victims and thus
trivialize their fate. The Turkish state has extended its denialist
propaganda overseas into North America by hiring lucrative public
relations companies, lobbying firms and academics to help them deny
in the United States and Canada.

By implementing a policy of denial on the issue of the Armenian
Genocide, the Turkish government not only victimizes Armenians,
but also corrupts the conscience of the Turkish people. The Turkish
government must acknowledge its history and by doing so end the
cycle of genocide. Removing any ban on discussing the Genocide of
the Armenians in Turkey, ending state sanctioned hostility toward
the Armenian people, protecting Armenian cultural wealth in Turkey,
and using the power of education to promote justice for Armenians and
reconciliation between the parties, are all necessary initiatives
Turkey must adopt. The international community must play a role in
encouraging Turkey to take this step.

Raffi Sarkissian, Toronto

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Thank you for publishing the article highlighting the denial of the
Armenian Genocide by the Turkish government. However, I believe it
would have been important to mention that many Turks risked their
lives by harbouring Armenians during the Genocide. Today, many
prominent Turkish academics and authors face persecution for refusing
to censor their works and comments. Too often this conflict is pitched
as one between two nations, whereas it is actually a conflict between
humanity and inhumanity.