MP Samvel Petrosyan put forward the question of recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the Parliament of Georgia

Georgia 7 May, 2013 13:13

Armenian deputies in Georgia nominated oral reading matter to the victims of the Armenian Genocide in 1915. This year, for the first time MP Samvel Petrosyan in a written form put forward the question of recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the Parliament of Georgia. A call was made to recognize the Genocide of Armenians in 1915 over the dip corps accredited in Georgia.

Address to the Foreign Missions

At the eve of the most tragic date in the history of Armenian people – Genocide of 1915 taken place in Ottoman Empire - we would like to address those foreign missions in Georgia as well as international organizations engaged in the country which have not yet expressed own stance and opinion towards one of the most large scale crimes against humanities in the history of civilization, demanding an official adjudication of organizers and executors of this bloody tragedy. It is clear that this very fact is a great challenge to the world community.

Within a framework of the contemporary political process taking place in a globalized world necessity of giving political and legal account to the genocide of Armenians is becoming an acute issue. Lack or inexistence of appropriate addressing of the stated issue on the part of politicians might become a gesture of silent promotion of the same acts for the solution of own political problems for any anti human regimes. It is impossible to enforce the standing norms of world order especially in the countries guided only with the narrow political interests and being deaf towards the legitimate demand of Armenian people to restore justice.

The responsible international community should deliberate on the formation of robust international mechanisms to eventually prevent the atrocities of human groups on racial, ethnic or religious grounds. To this end it is of utmost importance to over the incentives of playing double standards as well as domination of political interests over the universal human rights and values.
It is almost impossible to realize the concept of world order in the 21st century based on the international law without the conduction of actual policies towards the protection human rights as well as promotion of justice and high morale; without a development of concrete mechanisms for the eventual prevention of new genocides; without restoring justice for Armenians as well as other people suffered from genocide.

We are sure that such categories as political prejudice and justice are not conflicting. On the contrary they are mutually reinforcing and complimenting factors. Therefore, supporting and promoting the principles of law is in the direct interest of all countries. In view of the above we call on your states to joint their voices to the demand for the recognition and adjudication of genocide of Armenians!

We also call on the world community to give account to the political stance of Turkey refusing to admit the fact of genocide. Such an account would serve as a restoration of justice and demonstration of respect to the international law.

In view of the above we would like to recall the fact of adoption of special declaration by the Great Britain, France and Russia in 1915, in which the mentioned countries stated that the act of Turkey was “the crime against humanities” and demanded the authorities of Turkey to be charged for the committed crime. The underlined evaluation has found its approval in the Paris World Conference in 1918-1920. Even though the political events developed at that time have discouraged to enforce the decision of the conference about the formation of international tribunal to adjudicate the organizers of Armenian genocide on the ground of crime against humanities, the fact of open declaration of responsibility of the government members for the atrocities as well as posing an issue of political responsibility of the country had in fact acquired very important character and became a decisive factor for the adjudication of Jewish holocaust.

Taking the described facts into account we, once again call on you to stand by those countries which have already expressed own views and criticism regarding Armenians genocide in 1915 and therefore make own contribution to the creation of just international order.

PetrosianSamvel, MP, Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Akhalkalaki District
MkoyanEnzel, MP, Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Ninotsminda District

Statement for the Turkish Embassy

The history has inherited neighborhood for our people. Decent relations between the neighbors can only be rested on the bases of respect for law and justice. Therefore, it is necessary to learn from our past tense relationships and thus eradicate moral consequences of the genocide.

If we take a sober look at the whole historical events developed since the tragedy of 1915, it would not be difficult to get assured that the silence and refusal of the genocide fact do not lead us to the needed outcome. The historical truth is robustly present and still escorting the descendants on both the victims of as well as those responsible for the genocide. Ending up with the past is only possible if we demonstrate a just stance to historical and juridical facts as well as sincere will to initiate new relationships based on the respect of the rights and the interests of the people who have found themselves in this enchanted closed cycle.
Armenia cannot ignore the indisputable fact according to which its economic development as well as political existence as an independent state is highly dependent on the world as well as friendly relationships with Turkey. Likewise, Turkey cannot aspire to enhance its political influence in the region by having a stigma of “the killer of the nations” attached to as well as escorted by the syndrome of avenge for the committed crime.

Armenian-Turkish border is yet closed. However, for it to be opened we have to overcome the persisting estrangement first in our hearts. This can only be done if we admit the truth. We are sure that time for reunion has come in light of the will of our people to restore such tragically terminated relationships. As examples for this can be brought openly recognized genocide of Armenians expressed by such prominent Turkish figures as Nobel Price Holder OrhanPamuk, historian TanerAkcam, publisher RagıpZarakolu, as well as hundreds of other respectable Turks who do not want to put up with the lie and false and who are ready to explicitly state own civic and public views during public rallies or in social networks.

We can also recall the public shock Turkey has experienced in case the death of Grant Dink – on the same day of his funeral the new public movement was initiated “I am Dink, I am Armenian”. The public dialogue has already commenced and we call on the official Ankara to listen including own nationals demanding the adjudication of this historical crime. By refusing the past it would not be possible to find the way out into the future.

Republic of Armenia has clearly demonstrated through its concrete steps that it aspires to peace with Turkey despite the black sides of history. To ensure peace we call on Turkey to take responsibility for the crime committed by the previous government against Armenian people. This can be done in the name of interests of Turkish people and their future. Only by taking a path of repentance and reconciliation Turkey can obtain the aspired seat in the international arena.