Armenian National Committee
47 Nichols Avenue
Watertown MA 02472
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
April 8, 2008
Contact: Sharistan Melkonian
617-347-2833
Massachusetts Municipal Association Ends Sponsorship of No Place for Hate
Cites ADL’s Ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide
Watertown, MA – The Massachusetts Municipal Association today voted to
ends its sponsorship of the No Place for Hate program due to the Anti
Defamation League’s (ADL) continued ambiguity about the Armenian
Genocide and its active opposition to its recognition, reported the
Armenian National Committee.
The action by the nonprofit, nonpartisan association of Massachusetts
cities and towns, comes after at least 12 Massachusetts communities
have already withdrawn from the NPFH program concluding that their
constituents’ human rights needs are best served by dissociating
themselves from the ADL, an organization that engages in the worst
form of hate speech: genocide denial.
In a statement released today the MMA affirmed that, `the
inconsistency between the National ADL’s position on the Armenian
Genocide and the human rights principles underlying NPFH is a matter
of great concern to MMA Board members and the municipalities they
represent. The MMA feels strongly that it is imperative to speak with
absolute clarity on genocide and that, due to the NPFH program’s
association with the National ADL, the Association will no longer be a
sponsor of the program.’
`The MMA made the right decision today, sending a clear signal that
the ADL simply cannot be entrusted with the task of promoting
tolerance and diversity in communities while it engages in the
ultimate form of hate speech: genocide denial,’ stated Sharistan
Melkonian of the Armenian National Committee.
Background
The MMA originally endorsed the NPFH program providing the impetus for
many communities to adopt the program. Last September, however, the
MMA acknowledged the ADL’s inability to adhere to the simple yet
necessary standards required of a human rights organization and called
on the ADL to unambiguously recognize the Armenian Genocide and
support congressional affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.
The ADL has for many years refused to acknowledge that the systematic
massacre of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 was
genocide. To make matters worse, the ADL has actively engaged in
efforts to oppose Congressional affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.
Only after intense pressure which started in Watertown, Massachusetts
earlier this summer did the national ADL issue a `Statement on the
Armenian Genocide’ on August 21, 2007.
Referring to the events of 1915-1918, the statement declared, `The
consequences of those actions were indeed tantamount to genocide.’
Aside from the fact that the Armenian Genocide began in 1915 and
continued through 1923, the statement was not a full, unequivocal
acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide.
Not only was the qualifier `tantamount’ inappropriate, but the use of
the word `consequences’ was a clear attempt to circumvent the
international legal definition of genocide by avoiding any language
that would imply intent, a crucial aspect of the 1948 UN Genocide
Convention definition.
The ADL convened its national meeting in New York City in early
November at which time the issue of the Armenian Genocide was
discussed.
Upon conclusion, a one sentence press statement was issued that `The
National Commission of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today, at its
annual meeting, decided to take no further action on the issue of the
Armenian genocide.’
F or complete information about the ADL controversy surrounding the
Armenian Genocide visit
The Armenian National Committee is the largest Armenian American
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United
States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANC actively
advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad
range of issues
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Statement by the Massachusetts Municipal Association
April 8, 2008
MASSACHUSETTS MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION
The Massachusetts Municipal Association firmly believes that in order
to build and sustain strong and vibrant communities throughout the
Commonwealth, it is essential to promote and protect basic human
rights, mutual understanding, and reconciliation.
In a resolution adopted on September 11, 2007, the MMA Board of
Directors stated that the terrible crimes committed against the
Armenian people by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 must be recognized as
genocide. In its resolution, the MMA applauded the New England
Regional Director and New England Regional Executive Committee of the
ADL for unequivocally recognizing the Armenian Genocide. The MMA
further called on the National ADL to adopt the position of the New
England Region at the ADL’s National Commission meeting in November
and to support the Congressional Resolution on the Armenian Genocide.
The MMA Board of Directors expresses its strong disapproval that the
National ADL did not use the opportunity of its November meeting to
clarify and strengthen its earlier statements concerning recognition
of the Armenian Genocide. The Board believes that unequivocal
recognition of the Armenian Genocide is both a matter of basic justice
to its victims as well as essential to efforts to prevent future
genocides.
Since 1999, the MMA has been an official sponsor of the No Place for
Hate (NPFH) program offered by the New England Region of the ADL. The
NPFH program is intended to assist municipalities in Massachusetts to
combat bias and promote tolerance. By helping to reduce acts of
violence and discrimination, NPFH has brought important tangible
benefits to the cities and towns which have chosen to participate in
the program. It stands as a worthy monument to the good works of the
man who inspired its creation, the late Leonard Zakim.
The inconsistency between the National ADL’s position on the Armenian
Genocide and the human rights principles underlying NPFH is a matter
of great concern to MMA Board members and the municipalities they
represent. The MMA feels strongly that it is imperative to speak with
absolute clarity on genocide and that, due to the NPFH program’s
association with the National ADL, the Association will no longer be a
sponsor of the program.
While these issues will continue to be discussed by municipalities and
concerned individuals, the NPFH program has changed. The New England
Region of the ADL recently announced that the NPFH program is moving
to a community-based model. The program will be available as a
resource to community and civic groups but will no longer seek local
government sponsorship or certify cities and towns as NPFH
communities.
For Massachusetts municipalities that seek a program specifically
designed for local governments to promote tolerance, combat racism and
discrimination, and facilitate community building, the MMA commends
the National League of Cities Inclusive Communities program, which can
be accessed via the NLC’s website (). The NLC’s program
includes 190 cities and towns in 40 states and provides an
ever-expanding toolbox for municipal officials.