The “Joint Justice Initiative” was launched in a special event at Australia’s Parliament House
(L) Haig Kayserian, Hermiz Shahen and Dr. Panayiotis Diamantis. (R) Representatives of the joint initiative from Australia’s Greek, Armenian and Assyrian communities at the Parliament House in Canberrra. Photos: Supplied
The affirmation of a joint commitment to advocate for the recognition of Turkish-committed Genocide against Greek, Armenian and Assyrian citizens of the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkey between 1914 and 1924, was witnessed by around 100 parliamentarians, diplomats, political staffers, academics, media and community leaders.
READ MORE: Genocide history resources go online
In attendance from the Greek community were Canberra’s St. Nicholas’ parish priest Rev. Peter Kipouros, representing Archbishop Makarios, Mrs Martha Mavrommati, High Commissioner for Cyprus, Mrs Gokhan Papakosta representing Greece’s new ambassador to Australia George Papakostas, Mr Panayiotis Stefanidis and Ms Maria Anthony Nicolaides, president and treasurer respectively of the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia and president of the Greek community of Canberra John Loukadellis among others.
The Australian Hellenic Council, the Armenian National Committee of Australia and the Assyrian Universal Alliance, as signing parties of the MoU, have agreed to undertake joint advocacy and public education initiatives to promote the demand for international recognition and condemnation of the genocide that was suffered by their respective communities and collaborate to secure the support of Australia’s government and lawmakers to their cause.
They are also determined to “advocate against any attempt by the Turkish Government to use the sacred ANZAC graves in Gallipoli (and access by Australians to those graves and memorials) as ‘hostages’ or bargaining chips in coercing or persuading the Australian Government in being complicit in the Turkish State’s denial campaign with respect to the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides.”
Closing the event, historian specialising in genocide Dr. Panayiotis Diamantis spoke of Australia’s humanity and generosity in having offered assistance to those who had been persecuted and expressed the collective hope of the descendants from these communities to see these past stories of suffering and survival get the recognition they deserve.