CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL IN OTTAWA TO MARK ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL
11:00, 21 Apr 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan
Holocaust survivors, Ambassadors and human rights organizations will
gather at the Ottawa Human Rights Monument for a candle light vigil
on the occasion of the Armenian Genocide centennial, the Armenian
Youth Federation of Canada reports.
To mark the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, human rights
activists from Ottawa and across Canada will gather on Thursday,
April 23 to hold a vigil in memory of the victims of all genocides
that have taken place throughout the past century.
Holocaust survivor Dr. Raoul Korngold and Rwandan Genocide survivor
Alice Musabende will share their stories of survival and perseverance
– outlining the gruesome realities of genocide and the transcending
effects it has on future generations.
Hundreds are expected to be in attendance starting at 7:00pm at the
Canadian Tribute to Human Rights.
Several diplomats including the Ambassador of Russia, Armenia, Uruguay
and Argentina along with a representative from the Embassy of Italy
will be present.
In organizing the vigil, the Armenian Youth Federation of Canada
has partnered with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, Student
Federation of the University of Ottawa, Jewish Federation of Ottawa,
Hillel Ottawa, Canadian Association of Rwandan Youth Ottawa, Humura
Ottawa – Canadian Association of Rwanda Tutsi Genocide Survivors,
uOttawa – Amnesty International, Carleton Student Association and
AEEDCO (Association des etudiants et etudiantes en droit civil de
l’Outaouais.
Representatives of the Armenian Youth Federation, Armenian Genocide
Centennial Committee, Rabbi Steven from Jewish Federation of Ottawa
and the President of the Student Federation of the University of
Ottawa will be amongst those addressing the audience
The participants will present a collective voice against genocide
and denial and together make a pledge for “Never Again” as they stand
for justice and truth.
The Armenian Genocide, which began on April 24, 1915, was the
planned extermination of a million and half Armenians at the hands of
Ottoman Turkey. More than two million Armenians were forcibly taken
from their homes and villages, men drafted into and murdered in the
Ottoman Turkish army, and women, children and the elderly driven into
the Syrian deserts where they were starved, beaten, raped, drowned,
or burnt alive. Survivors ended up in orphanages and refugee camps
across the Middle East and the West. 150 of the genocide orphans were
brought to Canada starting in 1923 in what became known as Canada’s
Noble Experiment.
From: A. Papazian