Aram I: “Resolution 306 is also an important step on the way to Armenian Genocide recognition.”

Head of Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I responded to Resolution 306 passed by the US Congress House of Representatives. He said it is a result of the consistent work of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), which must be used for the Armenian Genocide recognition, compensation for it and for giving an international resonance to the issue.

It is a “document of historical significance”. Aram I defines Resolution 306 in this way. He notes that US has kept in the centre of its attention the issue of human rights and the issue of freedom of conscience. Resolution 306 is also a manifestation of such religious freedoms.

“The US Congress intention is to say that, away from political considerations, there must be no discrimination concerning religions all over the world and there must be full freedom of religion and conscience,” Aram I said.

The resolution urges Turkey to return all stolen churches, monasteries and other spiritual institutions to Christian communities. “The Armenian community has a big role among them and those who have passed the resolution, realise it quite well,” Aram I says and adds ”It’s a topic worth deep analysis. Their return is stressed very clearly, in the first place, and secondly, it is spoken about the people who have right to them. Naturally, names are not mentioned, but it can be clearly read between the lines, who are those having right to them.”

Resolution 306 is also an important step on the way of Armenian Genocide recognition. According to the Catholicos, a positive atmosphere will be created around Armenians. Turkey, in his turn, will try to oppose. In this way people will speak about the resolution sooner, already on the international platforms.

“If we are presently preparing for the commemoration of the 100^th  anniversary of the Genocide, and in particular, when we, the Diaspora in this case, and the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia stress clearly the priority of compensation, I think, it’s time that we use this decision of US Congress optimistically and correctly,” Aram I says.

To recall, at the beginning of September, when the Law on Waqfs was amended in the neighbouring country (Turkey), according to which the property stolen in 1936 was to be returned to national minorities, Aram I had sent a letter to Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan. The letter said the decision could please the European Union, but cannot be viewed as a step based on principles of justice.

“Your declaration of being responsible in justice and human rights issues will be valid only after the Armenian Genocide recognition,” Aram I had stated.

The Catholicos also stated that the urgent step following the Armenian Genocide recognition will be demanding compensation. It is necessary to act with collective positions over this issue. For example, to decide what a term should be used? –“reclaiming? compensation? or restoration of rights?”, so that they are clearly formulated in international documents.